v i s i o n

To start an organization, you have to be a visionary. You have to see things that aren't there. This fact has planted little seeds of doubt in my mind: Am I a visionary? Do I have a vision? Has God given me a vision?

This weekend, God reminded me of the vision. Vision for what can be. And He lets me cheat. See, I get to see what is and imagine it for children, teens, people, families, etc...in Arkansas. And I can see it. Because my boss had a vision: A full life for kids in the city. A full life for me.

I went on the college trip this weekend with our 3rd-8th graders. I saw students who struggled but persevered in their essays in order to go on the trip. I loved meeting students from the other UrbanPromise after-school programs. I loved seeing my coworkers love them, discipline them, and point them to Truth. I loved seeing the children smile proudly as they got their "diploma." I loved seeing students act out Isaiah 40 as Tim reminded us that in hard times it's easy to think that God is ignoring us. That He's forgotten us.

In the skit, God returns and says, "yo, guys, what are you doing? Why are you getting ready to fight these guys? I will fight your battle for you." "God" then barely touches the enemies and they fall over.

I knew God was speaking to me. AND to every person in that room. Every staff person struggling. Every child going through a hard time. Every middle schooler wondering where God is.

Today, I saw the vision.

I remembered the vision.

God uses us. Mere mortals, sinners, people, humans - to remind each other that God has not forgotten us. God will fight our battles. God will give us strength to run the race.

That's the vision: To be a community in Christ of servant leaders and transformation, seeking a full life for all involved.

And I see it lived out day by day by day.

I see the good news of Jesus Christ every single day as I watch my brothers and sisters laying down their lives to point children to the Truth. to Hope. to Healing. To forgiveness. It's not a one time thing for them. It's a day in, day out, doing the hard stuff that comes along. And we do it together. And that is a vision that I'm excited to strive for.