Don’t Run Out of Vision

People do all kinds of scandalous, self-sabotaging things when they lose their vision.

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people get out of control.” (Proverbs 29.18 CEB)

Solomon started out his rule as king of Israel with strength, focus and unwavering vision. The Bible tells us, “The kingdom was now firmly in Solomon’s grasp” (1 Kings 2:46).

Solomon built the temple that his father was unable to build.

This incredible structure took 7 years to complete (1 Kings 6:38).

He also built a palace for himself, which took 13 years to complete the construction (1 Kings 7:1).

I can’t even begin to imagine what this house looked like!

During these years, Jerusalem’s infrastructure, economy and influence flourished.

Then something strange happened… Solomon seemed to run out of vision.

There are no more stories about battles to fight or buildings to build.

Instead, Solomon started chasing after his own appetites and desires.

He no longer lived to fulfill God-given vision, but rather to fulfill his own lusts.

The Bible says Solomon “had 700 wives and 300 concubines” (1 Kings 11:3).

What? This is crazy!

Solomon is now so busy with women (I can’t even figure out the math) that he has no time or energy left to do anything purposeful.

Solomon’s reign lasted 40 years.

The first 20 years was full of vision, purpose, building, developing, creating…

The last 20 years was full of, well… distraction, self-centeredness, lust, and overindulgence.

Warning—don’t run out of vision!

I don’t ever want to get to the place where all my dreams and visions have been fulfilled.

I don’t want to lose sight of purpose.

I want to always have one more dream to fulfill, another building to build and another mission to accomplish.

I’m praying that God will constantly fill me with visions, dreams, and goals.