I remember when we started DrewsAnimals.com. The plan was that it would be a home school project and a hobby. Well, that was our plan anyway. God took it a bit further.
Although it was just a hobby, there were a lot of challenges wrapped up in starting that website. In many ways it was a lot like starting a business, and it took a lot of the same courage that starting a business would take.
When we launched in 2001, websites were known to be potentially very expensive. If it had no traffic, it would not have met our dreams. If it had too much, we could owe tons of money. What software should we use? Where would we host it? What else did we need to do? Where should we start?
In business it takes courage to start or develop a vision (Part 1). It takes courage to make it work (Part 2). And finally, it takes courage to fully become (Part 3). By “become,” I mean wrap your mind around it or jump in! You know what to do, and you decide to go for it with all your heart.
Courage to Develop a Vision –
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18
Although this verse refers to the divine revelation from God to the prophets, the necessity for vision is no different in business. Without a vision, the company will perish.
In business, any time that you are not going forward, you are losing ground. There is no such thing as standing still because everything around you is changing. Innovations happen all the time. Vision is what keeps workers headed in the right direction and moving forward instead of floundering. It’s the roadmap to help stay the course. Everything done in the business needs to achieve or point toward that vision.
It often takes courage to develop a vision because of self-doubt and the discouragement we get from others. I’ll never forget the discouragement I once got concerning Drew’s Animals. Guess what? Ultimately, that person was wrong. I’m glad I didn’t listen. Once you develop a vision, stick to it. Seek the advice of wise counsel, but don’t let the naysayers – those just throwing cold water on your dream without good cause – throw you off course. Be courageous and hold on to your vision.
Think about the woman that reached out to Jesus as He passed by. Think about the amount of courage this took.
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 9:20-22
It took a great deal of courage to reach out to Jesus from behind. I’ve often wondered if I had been her what I would have done. After all, it would have been easy for her to think that she should not reach out. Women at that time were little better than property. It also would have been easy for her to become discouraged if she had considered what others might think.
Instead, the woman had developed a vision or a goal to be well. It was something that she wanted, and she gave it her focus. Without that vision – getting well, she probably would not have thought to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Her faith was the driving force behind her actions. And this vision helped her take action.
Will you commit to your vision? Will you take action, or will you pause? Will you consider the thoughts of others? What will you do?
LIFE APPLICATION
It’s your challenge to realize that it takes courage to develop a vision and stick to it. It requires faith – faith in yourself, and faith in the vision. It’s easier to have faith if you are following what the Lord has placed on your heart to do. Spend some time in prayer about the vision for your business. Ask God to guide you to the right vision. Once He has, you can proceed with confidence.
Write your vision down. Then, keep the vision in front of you to help motivate you to act on it. Pray everyday for direction concerning your vision. Seek wise counsel. Listen to their input, but avoid the naysayers.