Have you ever gone to a museum and stood next to someone else as you looked at the same painting? You find yourself wondering “what does this mean” while the person next to you looks at the painting in awe as if they know exactly what the artist intended? Or remember in kindergarten when we all had to draw a cat, and all ours looked different because none of us could draw except that one prodigy? My point is that somehow we can all be given the same task, be looking at the same thing, and still create and perceive things differently. That is perception, that is beauty and frankly, it’s just a fact. 

So we’ve established the multiplicity of reactions and creations that are generated by everyone perceiving the same thing. But imagine how much more multiplicity can be yielded when each of us are given varying tasks and points of reference. I would define that as purpose. We are all here for something – to do something and to be something. The assignment comes from God and though it is not always easy to discern, it is something intrinsic to each of us on an individual level. 

Being a writer, or an artist of any kind is unlike most professions because there is no paved road. There are routes that writers before me have taken, but they are not etched in stone. But what I do have is a purpose. I have a message or truth to convey that was given to me by the Holy Spirit to deliver – many messages and one very clear vision, in fact.

But what all purposes have in common is that for each of them to be accomplished, God gives us all a vision – a method by which to get our assignment done. A mission for each of us to carry out.

We can share it, of course, but we cannot shirk or transfer the responsibility and the duty to complete the task before us to anyone else. It was handpicked for us.

The thing about having a vision – about being given a vision by God – is that sometimes you are the only one who can see it and that can be discouraging. It can be discouraging sharing your vision with people who simply haven’t seen it – even if they are the people that you love. But if you have been there or are there, then I leave you with this – with some words of encouragement and wisdom:

If they can’t see it, if they struggle to see the vision as clearly as you do, don’t hold it against them. It isn’t necessarily because they don’t believe in you or don’t support you. All it does is reinforce the fact that it is your vision and your purpose to carry it out. The fact that they can’t see it ought to be all the more reason for you to want to make what is clear and vivid to you a reality. Because it is your purpose. Because God created and handpicked you for this and that should bring you comfort and joy – greater than any discouragement you might feel. 

We should never waiver from the things we love, are passionate about, and are commissioned by God to do because of other people – because they cannot see what God has revealed to us. They need evidence – it needs to be in front of them to see it and the time will come for them to see what God has revealed to us, but so long as you are receptive, as long as you are motivated, as long as you can see it, then that is all God needs. God did not give it to them – He gave it to you.