“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  (Proverbs 29:18)

Are you a Revelation leader?  Do you lead based on divine revelation for your life and leadership?  The scripture states that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  The word vision in that text would have been better translated “revelation.”  Where there is no “revelation” the people perish.  The basic objective of every leader is to discover what God wants to do and go forward on the basis of that revelation.  Therefore the only kind of vision God will bless is that which is based on divine revelation of divine objectives.  It’s easy for a leader to sit and day-dream about what can be done.  It’s a more difficult and seldom entered into process, to pursue divine revelation.

Seven Kinds of Vision

In his book “Strategic Vision” Pastor Frank Damazio articulates seven kinds of vision which a leader may have.  I found this book to be very helpful in my ministry as a leader, and I think reflecting on the seven types of vision is helpful from time to time.  A leader whether  he or she knows it or not has some kind of vision.  This is true whether you are the leader of a church, business, a family, or your own life.  It is also true that the type of vision you have is affecting you and those you are called to lead.

No Vision – The first type of leader is one who no vision.  This is blindness at its best and negligence at its worst.

Little Vision – This is a leader who knowing what can’t be done.

Confused Vision – This is a leader with double mindedness, not sure where he is going.

Wrong Vision – This is a leader motivated by selfish ambition and personal interest.

Vague Vision – This is a leader who has not clearly articulated the vision.  It has been said that a vision which no one knows about is as good as not having a vision at all.

Someone Else’s Vision – This is a leader who copies and pastes vision from someone else.

Gods Vision – This is a leader who has heard from God, about what God wants to do in the context of his leadership.

Revelation Leadership

A Revelation Leader is that leader who will articulate a vision for his people, which he himself has received from God.  This leader takes time to pray for divine guidance, spends time testing his own motives, and yields entirely to the divine objective.

Why Is Revelation So Vital

Revelation is vital to leadership because God is not doing the same thing with everyone.  Your church may have a different purpose than the church down the street.  Your ministry may not be called to do what others are doing.  When we get caught up in comparison we lose sight of what God wants done.  The better approach is to seek the Lord about what He wants done in your sphere of influence.  To pursue revelation above all else.  Divine Revelation provides the marching orders for our leadership.  Without it, you will grow frustrated and tired trying to do something which God never designed you to do.  This I can say from personal experience.

Without it people perish.  That’s a sobering thought.  If you have “no vision” or “little vision” they perish, by languishing.  A vision less people languish because they don’t get to use their gifts in a God glorifying way.  Those gifts rot on the vine, rather than build the kingdom of God.  If you have “confused, wrong, vague, or copied vision” the people perish by working aimlessly.  Their gifts are misused and potentially wasted.  Thus the surest way to honor God and to honor the people He has called you to serve is to lead in light of revelation.  Then the people flourish and God is glorified.