What Does It Mean To “Write the Vision”? Record What God Speaks

In Habakkuk 2, God says to “write the vision.” But why is writing the vision—the goal or revelation that God gives us—so important? Why do we need to make goals and write them down?

Goal setting teaches us to use the time God has given wisely. Writing down our goals helps us achieve His perfect plans for our lives—plans to prosper, as Jeremiah 29:11 says! 

When we write the vision, we show that we believe in God and trust Him to bring it to pass. We also show that we are good stewards of His revelation. Writing the vision is an act of agreement that makes it tangible so that others can receive it, too.

Write the Vision…

God spoke these words to Habakkuk:

  • “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,
    that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’”—Habakkuk 2:2-3

God told the prophet to write the vision. But more than that, He told him to make it plain so that not only he himself could read it, but others could read it and run with it in its appointed time. 

This is not to say the prophet was not to be involved in fulfilling the vision. But it was mainly for those who would read it and receive it. They would have clarity and be able to follow the plans God laid forth in detail–not out of legalism but to achieve the fullness of the vision.

Don’t Let Your Expectation of the Vision Get in the Way of God’s 

It’s important to remember: sometimes, the hour we expect the vision to go from written word to action may not be the true appointed time for the vision. God’s plans, the vision—goal or revelation—that He has His children write down and believe for will not be late. They will happen at their appointed time!

It is a matter of faith. Have faith that God will do what He said because His timing is perfect, and His vision will not delay!

Whose Vision Are You Running With?

We must also be careful to follow God’s vision, not our own. Not every vision is from God; some are distractions or manipulations from the enemy. If you need help discerning the source of your vision, pray and ask.

  • Does the vision align with God’s Word?
  • Does it advance His Kingdom plans?
  • Does it bring life?
  • Will it bring me closer to God as I pursue it?

God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Keep your steps surrendered and trust God’s guidance!

What Does Writing God’s Vision Mean for Us?

Opportunity to Commune with God

What a miracle–it is no longer solely the prophets or precious few who can be close to the Holy One of Israel. Through the blood covering of Jesus and the indwelling of His Spirit, you can hear the Creator of heaven and earth speak to your heart. You can experience Him with you, guiding your steps and lighting up your path! 

Receiving words, visions, and revelations from God is our inheritance as His children. He wants to speak to His people. He wants us to listen to what He’s speaking. What a treasure to hear what is on the Father’s heart, to record it and move towards it in faith!

Opportunity to Hear God’s Voice and Bear Fruit 

Jesus says in John 10:27, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” 

We know God’s voice by knowing Him, and we know God more as we choose to abide in Him.

In John 15, Jesus says:

  • “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (vv.4-5).

Receiving Holy Spirit-inspired visions and revelations and walking them out with God is fruit. To be fruitful, we must stay attached to the Vine (Jesus). This is how we can trust we are hearing His voice and receiving His revelations. 

With God in us, we can hear His voice, know His heart, and access the prophetic. We are not all full-time prophets in God’s Kingdom plan, but we each have prophetic giftings and abilities. We all can hear His voice. 

As we remain in Jesus and study His Word, we can receive His visions, prophetic understanding, and revelations that bring wisdom, warning, counsel, comfort, and strategy.

It doesn’t matter which of the 7 Mountains of Influence God has us walk in, He has visions specifically designed for each. For example, He may give us visions for:

  • Starting a Business
  • Starting a Non-Profit
  • Beginning a Ministry
  • Creating a Marketing Strategy
  • Childcare
  • Design
  • Witty Inventions
  • Youth Missions
  • Insurance Plans
  • And so much more!

No matter our mountain or calling within God’s Kingdom, there are reasons for us to write the vision and make it plain.

How Do We Do This?

Whether it’s a multi-national vision or one that seems more personal, there are many reasons why we should write the vision down. But how do we do that? And does it always look the same?

Ultimately, God will lead us in what the vision should look like. It’s about stewarding well what He gives us. When writing the vision, here are some points to consider:

  • Write the Goal

Yes, a vision is a type of goal, but knowing where it will end is vital to understanding how to accomplish it. Knowing the end makes the vision plain. Yet, it’s important to note that sometimes God may not give the vision its complete end but allows us to see a starting point or a limited amount so we do not become overwhelmed or distracted. 

  • Know the Skills You Have and Will Need

Once you know the goal, it’s important to make an honest assessment of the skills required to reach that goal. You should look at…

  • The skills you have
  • Areas your current skill set could improve
  • The new skills you need

God will show us our strengths and weaknesses and help us improve and thrive in where we need growth. Prayer, time spent in God’s Word, and fellowship with Him and other Believers are keys to success here.

  • Write the Steps That Will Bring You Closer to the Goal

When God gives a vision, there is often a part for us and a part just for Him. It’s important to discern which is which before setting goals. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and begin outlining what you feel He is telling you to be responsible for. 

Steps can be as simple as spending five minutes a day learning a skill needed for the vision or as large as saving up enough money to start a business. Make sure your goals are measurable and have a reasonable completion date, but remember to surrender the full vision’s timetable to God. As long as we are faithful to do our part, He will always show up and bring it to pass at the appointed time! 

  • Ask God How He Wants You to Invest Time/Money into Others

The Word says that with the same measure we use, it is measured back to us and that what we give, we will receive (Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:38). If the vision is for us to start a business, maybe we need to give into a business God leads us to. If the vision is for us to enter a new Mountain of Influence, perhaps we need to give to someone or someplace within that Mountain. Often, the very thing we need is the same thing that will catapult us into the next season if we only give it to another person—be it money, kindness, wisdom, etc.

While these are only some aspects necessary to writing the vision clearly, they are useful starting points. It is important to remember that, ultimately, God will give us the wisdom and direction for writing the vision. He was the one Who gave the vision! And with each act of obedience, whether sitting down to write the vision, writing more of it, or doing something that propels us forward, God does the big thing! 

It takes faith, action to set faith in motion, and God’s heart—His love and Kingdom purpose. Each of these takes the Spirit-inspired vision from a beautiful idea to a written action and, ultimately, to an amazing, God-glorifying reality!

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Are You Ready to Record the Vision?

Is there something that has been on your heart for some time that you believe is from God? Is there something that keeps coming back into your thoughts—a new business idea, an invention, a dream—but you believe it is beyond your abilities? Perhaps it is God telling you to write the vision, to make it clear so that you and even others can run with it. Be encouraged to set your heaven-inspired goals and write the vision!

Change can be intimidating, but God is ready, willing, and able to take us through it! Sometimes all it takes are small acts of faith to produce a cascade of vision and change. Sometimes all it takes is faith and courage to write the vision, make it plain, and run with it. And with each step of the journey, God will be there, doing the big thing, because He sees that we have the courage to do the small thing. Step out in faith!