Vision for Life: How do we live a life of purpose?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

—Ephesians 2:10

I am 58 years old and just created my first vision board. Months ago, while introducing vision boards as a project for my students, I clipped images from magazines and slipped them inside an envelope, with the intention of later gluing them to a foam board. It wasn’t until school was closed due to the pandemic that I actually had time to revisit and complete my project.

It's interesting that I would clip the image of lush green land and the
word "healing" without knowing that the onset of the pandemic was just ahead.

Maybe you’re wondering, What is a vision board?

All athletes can vouch for the importance of visualization. They picture themselves dunking the basketball or hitting the home run before they actually do it. Others have used visualization when preparing for a dance routine or to give an important speech. A vision board is a visualization tool, a collage of images, words, and affirmations that represent one’s ideal life; it is used as a source of inspiration to achieve goals through the Law of Attraction.

According to Elayna Fernandez, the board should cover what she calls the 10 F’s: Family, Faith, Friends, Fitness, Finances, Fun, Forever Partner, Funding, Fulfillment, and F.I.R.S.T. (acronym for self-care). I will add another F to the process: Focus. Creating the board doesn’t magically bring your dreams into fruition, but it is a focal point, a reminder of what you’re working toward. Leading author and speaker Jack Canfield advises placing your vision board on a nightstand, some place where you will see it before you go to sleep. He states:

The time you spend visualizing in the evening just before bed is especially powerful. The thoughts and images that are present in your mind during the last forty-five minutes before going to sleep are the ones that will replay themselves repeatedly in your subconscious mind throughout the night, and the thoughts and images that you begin each day with will help you to create a vibrational match for the future you desire. (Canfield)

In my classes, we spend a considerable amount of time on career exploration. Students take aptitude tests to get insight on careers that fit their personality and match their passion. I encourage them to include on their vision board images that represent their desired field.

Perhaps you’re older like me, no longer a high school kid and long since settled into your career. Perhaps you are retired. Maybe you have already accomplished what you set out in life to do. What would be the point in making a vision board?

No matter your age, there is still more for you. We have all been created on purpose (Psalm 139:13-16) with a purpose (1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 2:10) for a purpose (Psalm 57:2).

On purpose, God knit you together in your mother’s womb, weaving in gifts and talents to be used in serving others, all for achieving His purpose, to please and glorify Him (Romans 11:36).

According to the Message, we must “figure out what will please Christ, and then do it” (Ephesians 5:10).

So how do we figure it out? I think we can take a tip from Canfield. It has to do with our focus. Where do we fix our thoughts? As Christ-followers, they should be on Him. Whether it’s the last or first 45 minutes of our waking hours or somewhere in between, we should set aside time for fellowship with Him and studying His Word. As we become well-rooted in the Law of the Lord, we can be sure of a vision that aligns with His.

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the teaching” (Proverbs 29:18).

In this verse, “vision” means divine communication or revelation, while “perish” means without restraint or out of control, like hair hanging loose and flying every which way in the wind. If we fail to study and pray for wisdom, we live without vision. We go every which way except God’s way, and even to our own detriment. But when we do study and apply His Word, we live a happy and fulfilling life of purpose, sure to make Him smile (Got Questions).

The experts say you should create a new vision board every year, assuming that in a year’s time you would have achieved some of your goals. Whether you decide to create one or not, you can live a life of purpose every day by seeking God for fresh vision and opportunities. Especially now during these trying times, ask Him what you can do to make a difference today.

Dear God, Thank You for creating me on purpose with a purpose for Your glory. Reveal to me how I can use my talents and abilities in ways that are pleasing unto You and that bring smiles to those around me. Amen.

Canfield, Jack. “How to Create an Empowering Vision Book.” Jack Canfield: Maximizing Your Potential, Self Esteem Seminars, L.P., 2020, https://www.jackcanfield.com/blog/how-to-create-an-empowering-vision-book/.

Fernandez, Elayna. “The 12 Universal Laws That Govern Your Results In Life.” Elayna Fernandez: The Positive Mom, 5 Sept. 2019, www.thepositivemom.com/the-12-universal-laws-that-govern-your-results-in-life.

“What does it mean that without vision the people perish?” Got Questions: Your Questions. Biblical Answers., Got Questions Ministries, January 2, 2020, https://www.gotquestions.org/without-vision-people-perish.html.