I realize I’m dating myself here, but I grew up watching Mr. Magoo on TV and always loved him. He was a disaster waiting to happen that never quite happened. Suffering terrible eyesight, he was always getting confused and making mistakes. He’d talk to a mannequin thinking she works at the store and then get mad because she wouldn’t answer him!
Of course, his faulty vision bailed him out of trouble, too. Leaving the store, he’d bump into a man, causing him to drop a board over an open manhole. He’d then walk across it with no idea of what happened! Mr. Magoo lived in constant danger but he never knew it!
Because it was a light cartoon, things always worked out for the poor guy. But Mr. Magoo illustrates the importance of vision. And many Christians agree. Over the years, I’ve heard many sermons and lessons about the significance of vision for success. Pastors are to lay out their vision for the church so people know where God is taking them.
I find that two passages get frequent attention in dealing with the subject of vision. We’ll look at one today and the other one next week. (These Bible verses are from the NASB.) Here’s the first passage:
“Then the LORD answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. 3For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.’” – Habakkuk 2:2-3
This sounds encouraging and positive! God tells the prophet Habakkuk to write down what He’s showing him. Then, those who read the report can put it into practice. If nobody takes any action, the vision remains idle; a nice dream, but that’s all. So writing it down is helpful and effective. When people commit themselves to doing God’s will, He will bless their efforts, even if it takes time.
And it will take time. God promises the vision won’t happen overnight. But He assures Habakkuk (and everyone else) of future fulfillment.
This sounds like great news, but what did Habakkuk see that He had to write down?
If we go back a few verses, we discover some unsettling truth!
In Habakkuk 1:2-4, the prophet complains to God about the rampant immorality and injustice plaguing the nation of Judah. He tired of seeing all this sin play out, but God tells him to get ready! It’s going to get even worse because He’s sending the Babylonians to conquer Judah (verses 5-11).
Habakkuk’s shocked (verses 12-17)! How can this be? The Jews were bad but the Babylonians were worse! If God is righteous, how can He punish sinners with people even more wicked? Habakkuk is having a hard time getting his head around all this.
He knows God is going to answer his new round of questions, so he reminds himself to prepare (Habakkuk 2:1). And the Lord indeed replies; He speaks the verses we started out with. Write down the vision, people need to read it, the vision will happen even if it’s delayed.
Far from being positive, this is a warning about an unavoidable judgment. Not too uplifting, is it?
But what about the instruction to write things down? Doesn’t this highlight the value of clarification? People won’t dedicate themselves to a vague vision. They can’t because they’re unsure of where they’re going and what’s asked of them. It’s standard procedure for business consultants and personal coaches to stress clarity. Without clear goals and steps, progress is almost impossible.
Yet clarity isn’t the reason why God told Habakkuk to write out the vision. He wanted all who read it to run.
Run? Why?
As you can imagine, Habakkuk didn’t have a good cell phone plan! And the internet was awful over two thousand years ago! No TV, too (so it wasn’t all bad!). To spread news, people had to take a message written on a tablet or scroll and run to the next city and announce it. Then they’d hand it off to the next person who’d dash over to the next town. Slow by our standards, but it got the job done.
So in this context, running isn’t about fulfilling a vision; it’s part of a communication process. Getting the word out as fast as possible.
How would the Jews respond to this prophecy? We’d expect them at least to repent of their sins and ask God to forgive them. Would that stay off the Babylonian invasion? Tough to say, but they have no chance without repentance.
The communication of a vision isn’t always grim. Isaiah speaks of announcing joyful news.
“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” – Isaiah 52:7
And so does Nahum.
“Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; he is cut off completely.” – Nahum 1:15
Paul picks up on this process and quotes Isaiah, applying the prophecy to the preaching of the gospel.
“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’” – Romans 10:15
What’s our response to this?
The Lord calls us as followers of Jesus to make Him known. He wants to get involved in the process. It has several steps–like writing, reading, running, and speaking. As we help to spread the gospel, we’ll find where we do our best work. Some people capture the good news of Jesus in gripping stories; they see ways of expressing the heart of God. Others have the resources and endurance to travel; they go the long haul and never give up.
Wherever you fit in, do your work with a whole heart. The vision we’re spreading isn’t a business venture or a goal-setting program. It’s the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. A vision so bright and clear, even Mr. Magoo can catch it!
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