Shared Vision, Strong Foundation

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

– Matthew 7:24-25

Introduction

Imagine going on vacation without having any plans. You don’t know where you want to go, how much you want to spend, how long you’ll be there, or what you’re going to do. Would you have any fun? Would there be disappointment? Perhaps some frustration and unmet expectations?

Of course, most of us would never dream of planning - or rather, not planning - a special trip this way. All of the details are usually discussed around the dinner table as a family with excitement and joy. Without such planning, disappointment and unmet expectations are all but guaranteed. But when everyone is on the same page, each member shares in the anticipation of a wonderful family vacation.

Traveling the journey of life with your family is much the same. A family that operates without a plan or a vision can run up against conflicting priorities of its members and deep disappointment. Having a vision for your family can help keep you all focused on a long-term, agreed-upon goal. Without it, individuals may be tempted to focus on their own desires, rather than thinking of the family as a unit.

A Guiding Foundation

Having a shared vision sets a solid foundation for the life of a family. When faced with decisions, you can ask each other, “Is this going to move me closer or take me away from our family vision?” When everyone knows the goal, they can more clearly see the trajectory.  This makes it easier to say no to things that are not necessarily wrong, but simply don’t line up with your vision. On the flip side, it can also encourage you to say yes to things you hadn’t considered before, but match up well. Decisions can become easier and quicker this way, and the entire family - rather than one or two individuals - is taken into consideration.

Establishing a Legacy

Having a shared family vision helps children think more long-term as well, showing them the importance of having a goal at which to aim, and the goodness of working together for the benefit of all. Many influences - the world, the flesh, and the devil among them - try to pit members against each other, but a shared vision can bring great unity in times of trouble and strife. In turn, this strengthens family bonds.

If you have a vision, it’s more likely that your children will pass on the practice. It’s likely that some elements of your own family vision will become part of future generations. What a privilege to demonstrate and pass on the priorities of your family!

Conclusion

Having a vision is a great way to unite your family and keep you focused on what’s important in the short-term and the long-term. Our vision statement is, We grow in faith together as a family and use our gifts to point others to Jesus. We refer to our family vision statement daily, especially in the morning and at dinner time. It helps to constantly remind all of us what our focus should be individually and as a family.

Key Points

• A shared vision is a good way to fight off the devil’s attempts to divide your family and will help to unite members.
• A well-written and frequently referred to vision can help shape your family’s legacy.
• A family vision can help you make decisions more quickly.