A Practical Guide for Everyday People
What does it really mean when people talk about “spiritual warfare” and having a “divine vision for the future”? These can sound like big, religious words, but at their core, they’re about understanding the ongoing struggle between good and evil in our world and learning to see the bigger picture God has for all of us—even when life feels confusing or uncertain.
Let’s break this down, step by step, in everyday language.
There’s a Battle Over Your Future
Many times, our lives can feel like a battlefield—not just with the usual ups and downs, but with challenges that seem to go deeper, pulling at our sense of purpose, hope, and peace. In spiritual terms, this is called spiritual warfare: a real, ongoing conflict between the forces of good (God) and evil (Satan). This struggle actually began way back at the start of human history, when Adam and Eve, the first humans, chose to listen to Satan rather than God. Since then, the battle has been about whether we will follow God’s good plans or fall into traps and lies that take us away from Him.
Here’s the thing: just because we can’t see this battle with our eyes, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. The Bible even says that the devil is like a roaring lion, always looking for someone to trick or overpower (1 Peter 5:8). That’s why it’s so important to be aware, alert, and not ignore the subtle ways negativity, discouragement, or deception can creep into our lives.
The Importance of Seeing Beyond What’s Obvious
Have you ever felt like you were missing something, like there’s more to life than what you’re experiencing? That’s because, as people of faith, we believe God helps us “see” beyond our immediate circumstances. This is what’s called having “spiritual vision.” It’s not about having superpowers—it’s about being open to God’s guidance, especially during confusing or difficult times.
God has a good future planned for every believer, but if we don’t stay connected to Him, we could easily miss out on it. In a world that’s changing so rapidly, it’s more important than ever to be prepared. That means not only getting ready with practical steps—like educating ourselves, making wise choices, and caring for ourselves and others—but also listening to what God might be saying to us about our lives.
One of the biggest reasons God gives us vision for the future is to keep our hope alive, even when things get tough. Isaiah 40:31 says that those who put their hope in God will renew their strength—they’ll soar, run, and walk without growing weary. In other words, God’s vision gives us the energy and hope to keep going.
Learning to Discern the Times
If you’ve ever watched the weather and guessed whether it’s going to rain, you know how to “read the signs” around you. Jesus said something similar in Luke 12:54-56—He challenged people who could predict the weather but didn’t pay attention to what God was doing. In simple terms, He wants us to be just as aware spiritually as we are physically.
That means paying attention to what’s happening in the world—not just the bad news, but also the opportunities for kindness, growth, and change. God’s Spirit helps us see things from His perspective, and that’s how we begin to discern (or “figure out”) what’s really going on.
Hearing God’s Voice: It’s a Process
Hearing from God about your future isn’t always a lightning bolt moment. More often, it’s a gradual process where we learn to trust, listen, and obey. The Bible says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” In other words, God welcomes our questions, our concerns, and our doubts—and He promises to guide us one step at a time.
No one gets the full picture all at once. It’s kind of like turning on a flashlight in a dark room. You might only see the next few steps, but as you keep moving forward, more of the path becomes clear. That’s why staying close to God through prayer, reading the Bible, and listening to wise people is so important.
God’s Vision Has a Purpose Bigger Than Us
Sometimes, we get excited when we think God has a special plan for us. Maybe we even read Jeremiah 29:11, which says God has plans “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But there’s more to it. God’s vision isn’t just about our personal success or happiness—it’s about His bigger plan for the world.
God wants to use each of us to bless not only ourselves, but our families, our communities, and future generations. The choices we make and the faith we show can have ripple effects we may never see. We’re part of a much bigger story: God’s vision is for humanity’s restoration, for light to win over darkness, and for love to overcome hate.
Running With God’s Vision
In the book of Habakkuk (2:1-4), the prophet talks about waiting for God’s revelation, writing it down, and running with it. The idea is that once God shows us what He wants, we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves—we should share it, live it out, and let it inspire others.
Even when things seem delayed or difficult, God’s promises never fail. Sometimes it might seem like nothing’s happening, or that God’s plans are slow to arrive, but His timing is always perfect. Our job is to be patient, to keep believing, and to keep moving forward.
We All Have a Part to Play
God doesn’t call only pastors, leaders, or “super spiritual” people to be watchful and responsive. Every believer is encouraged to be like a watchman—someone who’s alert, paying attention, and ready to act when the time comes. This means being diligent, not giving up, and pursuing God with all our hearts.
There’s a lot of confusion and brokenness in the world. Many people have lost their way or don’t know what to believe. The Bible says that some are “blinded” to the truth about God’s love. That’s why it’s so important for us to care about others, to share hope, and to live lives that reflect God’s goodness.
Hope Anchored in God
Paul, one of the early church leaders, wrote that all of creation is waiting for the day when everything is made right (Romans 8:22-25). There’s a longing in each of us for things to be better, for justice, peace, and hope. As believers, our hope is anchored in God’s promise to make all things new. Even when we can’t see how things will work out, we’re called to trust and to wait patiently.
Becoming People of Vision
When we learn to see life through God’s eyes, everything changes. We become “prophetic” people—not in the sense of telling the future, but in the sense of understanding God’s heart and living in a way that brings His love and truth to others. The more we listen, the more we learn, and the more we step out in faith, the more God can use us.
Acts 17:24-27 reminds us that God created every nation, every person, and every time in history, so we could seek Him and find Him. He’s not far away—He’s closer than we often realize.
Don’t Lose Sight of the Big Picture
We live in challenging times, but God has promised that His glory—His goodness, presence, and love—will one day fill the whole earth (Habakkuk 2:14). Evil tries to cloud our vision, but with God’s help, we can keep our eyes open and our hearts strong.
Remember, without vision, people “perish”—they lose hope, direction, and purpose. God’s vision gives us something to live for, to fight for, and to pass on to those who come after us. The world needs people who are willing to watch, listen, pray, and act on what God shows them.
Final Thoughts: Pursue God With Everything You Have
At the end of the day, knowing and following God’s vision is the most valuable pursuit there is. More than any treasure, status, or comfort, it’s God’s will that brings real life. Many people walk around unaware of how deeply loved they are by God. As those who have experienced His love, we are called to share the good news, to help open eyes that have been blinded by lies, and to point others toward hope.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to bring light where there was darkness. That’s our mission, too. Let’s care enough to reach out, to stand strong in faith, and to keep looking forward with hope.
As we journey onward, let our hearts be attentive to the gentle whispers of the Spirit, knowing that every step forward is an invitation to deeper trust and surrender. Even in moments when progress feels slow or the path ahead seems unclear, we can rest in the assurance that God’s faithfulness is unwavering. He faithfully nurtures what He plants within us, cultivating patience, hope, and strength that flourish in His presence. When we open our lives to the transforming touch of His grace, we discover fresh joy and courage for each new season, confident that our spiritual growth is not measured by outward achievements but by the quiet, persistent work of God within. In every challenge, let’s be reminded to turn toward Him, grateful for the gentle ways He leads us further into His love and purpose.
No matter what you’re facing today, know that God sees you, loves you, and has a vision for your life. Stand firm, keep watch, and run with the vision He gives you. There’s a future filled with hope—and it’s worth pursuing with all your heart.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 