If one is open one will be able to see into the future. At times the sight will bring hope and encouragement; most of the time I find it brings fear, puzzlement, and an impending sense of doom. The challenge is on multiple levels.
First, am I open to all possibilities? Do I passionately believe and have confidence that there is good in the midst of this chaos and pain? Am I willing to let people be forgiven, unconditionally and completely? Will I be a messenger of hope and compassion regardless of who, where, and why? Unless my answers are emphatic “yeses” then I am not really open to the possibilities that God has on the agenda! I am merely a pessimistic prognosticator of doom and gloom.
Second, am I willing to accept that I may fail yet again? With vision comes responsibility and accountability. Will I record and etch in my mind what I have seen? Can I muster the courage to let this strengthen me? Do I reach out to others, vulnerable and fragile, human and incomplete, beyond and yet strengthened? God does not continue a relationship with us because of our success! God isn’t involved with us for what we can do for the cause. God passionately and completely loves us because of the fact that we are who we are.
Thirdly, are we engaged in life? John “heard the count and saw both horses and riders in my vision.” (Revelation 9.17) Will we pay particular attention to the details, reaching beyond our boundaries to understand? Can we stretch our self beyond traditional walls and accept those who are unacceptable, love the unlovable, and show mercy where justice is in demand? Will our revelation end in hope or despair?
Open vistas are just that – wide open opportunities for us to ask, no demand that God do God’s stuff in our lives and in turn empower our actions and decisions of mercy, grace, and active compassion. Big words that simply say that we can accept God’s love today and in turn give it away.
