What is Your Vision

A vision statement is a concise, inspirational declaration that outlines what an organization ultimately aspires to become or achieve in the long term. Think of it as your North Star—it guides strategic decisions, energizes teams, and communicates your future impact to stakeholders.

But what is the "vision statement" for our (Christian Lives)?

As a Christian, our vision statement can serve as a powerful guide for our life, aligning our actions with our faith. 

Our personal Christian vision statement can take many forms., depending on our focus.  A few examples are given here  

​Service-Oriented

​To humbly reflect Christ's love by serving others and working for justice, so that all may experience God's grace and goodness.

This statement emphasizes living out our faith through action, focusing on both personal service and broader social issues like justice.

​Relationship-Focused

​Another one is relationship focused. 

To grow in my relationship with God and to build authentic, loving relationships with others, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in every interaction.

This vision statement centers on the importance of our personal spiritual journey and how that relationship overflows into our interactions with others. It highlights the relational aspect of faith.

​Faith-Sharing

​To be a faithful witness to the Gospel, sharing God’s hope and truth with kindness and courage, and inviting others into a deeper relationship with Him.

This statement is for someone who feels called to actively share their faith. It highlights the importance of both the message you share and the manner in which you share it—with kindness and courage.

​Personal Growth

​To continually seek a deeper understanding of God’s word and will, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform me into a person who reflects Christ's character in thought, word, and deed.

This vision is more focused on our own spiritual formation and sanctification. It's about a commitment to lifelong learning and personal transformation.

​You can also use these as a starting point and combine elements that resonate most with you. For example, you could blend the service-oriented and relationship-focused ideas to create something that feels more personal.

But having a Vision Statement is not enough: You need to have an action plan as well. And that is a "Mission Statement". 

For example- for a relationship-focused vision statement, a mission statement should be an actionable plan that outlines how you will achieve that vision. Your mission is what you do daily to live out your vision.

​Here's an example of how a mission statement can pair with a relationship-focused vision:

​Vision

​To grow in my relationship with God and to build authentic, loving relationships with others, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in every interaction.

​Mission

​To seek God daily through prayer and scripture, and to intentionally listen, serve, and encourage others with empathy, so that every relationship reflects His grace.

​This mission statement breaks down the vision into clear, actionable steps:

• ​"To seek God daily through prayer and scripture" addresses the personal relationship with God mentioned in the vision.

• ​"To intentionally listen, serve, and encourage others with empathy" outlines specific actions for building authentic relationships.

• ​"so that every relationship reflects His grace" ties these actions back to the ultimate goal of demonstrating the Gospel's transformative power.

​By combining these two, you have a powerful guide: the vision is your ultimate destination, and the mission is the path you take to get there. 

Words

Question: Do your words stir up discord or bring peace?

Scripture: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Fact: "Violent language often is as deadly as a lethal weapon.”

Every word we speak carries weight. It can either be a spark that ignites conflict or a balm that brings healing. In moments of tension, our instinct may be to defend, correct, or retaliate—but Scripture calls us to something higher: peace.

Ask yourself: Do my words stir up discord or bring peace? Do they reflect frustration or faith? Judgment or gentleness?

In the words of Tom Hanks in Life, Hope and Truth - "When I was a little boy, my mother taught me: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” I’ve thought about that many times, but it just isn’t true. As well-intentioned as the statement may be, words do hurt!

Words are incredibly potent. Wise King Solomon knew that, writing, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). What we choose to say really does matter!

Consider the power of words of hatred and defiance on a placard being carried by a protester. Consider the impact of words of anger and venom being shouted through a megaphone to a riled-up crowd. Consider the words of disrespect and attack said by one political leader about another.

Or, conversely, consider the words of comfort from a friend to one in need. Consider the words that encourage someone trying to master a new skill. Consider the impact of words of love and affection from a spouse or family member as when one is struggling with a trial.

Consider even the importance of correction that is given out of love and concern and with an eye toward helping us improve. Solomon also wrote, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).

It seems to be the norm today for many to say whatever they think or feel—uncensored and without much thought for how it may impact others. Social media platforms are used to attack, malign and bully almost with impunity. No dignity. No respect. Only using words as if they were arrows or bullets.

It is all too common for words to be used with devastating effect within families. Parents disparage and ridicule their children. Children say hurtful and angry things to parents, sometimes calling them vile names. Husbands and wives get angry with each other, and with their words they slice and dice like a wood chipper, spitting their mate out the other side.

Sometimes the impact of hateful or hurtful words will echo in the mind for decades, long after the speaker may have forgotten about it.

Conversely, we may also find that gentle and kind words of encouragement can buoy the heart and mind for decades, and once again, long after the speaker may have entirely forgotten them.

How have you used your words in the past? How do you use your words today? No one is perfect with his or her words (James 3:8), but we can always learn to do better".

Jesus didn’t just speak truth—He spoke it with grace. His words restored dignity, calmed storms, and invited the broken to belong. As His followers, we’re called to do the same.

You can study more about this in our online article “Sticks and Stones: 6 Ways to Improve Your Words.”