A Clear Vision of the Future You

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” — Fitzhugh Dodson

In life, knowing our destination is essential for plotting a proper course. Without knowing the endpoint, the in-between of how we get from point A to point B remains a mystery. As men, it is essential that we have a very clear picture of our end goal - the type of man we want to become. If our goal is to look like Christ, we must have a very clear picture of Who He is; and we must take intentional steps in order that we might live like Him. Without a vision of the man we want to become we will be left to wander, prone to follow the tendencies of our sinful nature, drifting further from the image of Christ.

A clear vision of Christ is foundational to having our very identity transformed into that which reflects our savior. John tells us that “we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The spiritual gaze of our heart matters. What we fix our eyes on significantly impacts our spiritual formation. However, one of the challenges many men face is that “gazing at Christ” is something very abstract and not very tangible. The struggle is figuring out how to do that.

One thing that is tangible and easy to do is observe older men in our life. From early on in development boys are looking up to the men around them, for better, or for worse. For many, one of the excuses for not being a godly man is a lack of having someone, a mentor, model for them what it looks like to live for Christ and look like Christ. But one of the beautiful gifts given to us in Scripture is that there are numerous examples, of ordinary men, who mess up, but also are actively modeling for us what biblical manhood looks like.

In order to help crystalize a vision of the type of man I wanted to become, I began by listing few aspects of men found in Scripture who have a heart and mind worth emulating. Here is part of a creed I began to envision for myself:

Be a man,
A man, who like Paul, is so passionate about the lost coming to know Christ that he would be willing to offer his own salvation for someone else.

A man, who like David, longs to enjoy God’s presence above everything earth has to offer.

A man, who is quick to confess sin, repent and seek forgiveness.

A man, who like Jeremiah, is willing to preach the truth at cost of his own life.

A man, who like Abraham, is willing to wake up early and not delay in sacrificing his idols.

A man, like David, who meditates on God’s word morning and night.

A man, like Isaiah, who is ready to say “here I am send me”.

A man, like the centurion, who’s faith is placed in the One who is Lord over all.

A man, like Joseph, quick to flee from impurity and temptation. And willing to be obedient to God and serve, even in the prison.

A man, like Moses, who longs to see a glimpse of God’s glory.

A man, like Peter, willing to leave behind comfort and fear to stand on faith.

Like Jesus, willing to lay one’s life down that others might thrive.

Now this is just a small list of examples, but take time today to write a clear vision of the man you want to become. Utilize men you’ve admired growing up and God’s word. Then, take action! Begin praying the Holy Spirit would turn you into this type of man and when given the opportunity, execute.

Remember, without a clear vision of whose you are, and who God has called you to be you will fail to reach the mark. All of our actions flow from who we are and impact who we become. So be intentional, search for the vision God has laid before you in Scripture and do not lose heart. It may feel daunting, but you have resurrection power and were not made for an ordinary life, you are a man of the Kingdom.