Here’s one of the biggest questions you’ll be asked (ie if you’re a parent or plan to ever be): Do you have a vision for your family?
I now know that the answer for many of you will be a resounding “Yes!” I believe that at some point all of us plan, in some way, for the future of our family.
However, what I’m asking is this:
“Do you have a MULTIGENERATIONAL vision for your family?”
Now that sheds a different light on the question, huh?
Let me define what I mean by “multigenerational.” The first part of the word is “multi”, which is derived from “multiple”, which means to consist of more than one part. Next we have the word “generational”. This is a form of the word “generation,” which is a child’s relationship to its parents (ie, a child is the parent’s first generation, while a grandchild is the second generation, and so on). So when I ask if you have a “multigenerational vision,” I’m really asking if you have a vision for her children, their children, and her children’s children.
Many people will have stopped reading this article at this point, possibly because they feel that their great-grandchildren (perhaps not even born yet) have nothing to do with how they live their own lives now. I disagree, and I hope you continue reading. If you have chosen to continue reading, I applaud your tenacity and your ability to see things in various degrees of light. Your “game plan” for today and beyond definitely DOES affect more than just you, and much more than just your generation.
I’d like to take a moment to share the various aspects of the multi-generational vision I have, in the hope that you’ll consider designing one for yourself.
It goes like this: I strongly desire that my children succeed me in their lives. I tell them that this is not only my wish for them, but also for their children, and their children’s children, and so on. I pray that my children continue to have the same vision for their future families. (What a glorious day it will be to sit in the same room with three or four generations of my family, all with the same multigenerational fidelity!) When I teach my kids a new task, or read aloud, or just spend time doing something important with them, I share how this can be “passed on” to their children. I explain how our faith in God is vital to all aspects of our lives and how to keep that faith alive in our family. They understand that they are important to me, so they listen when I share my vision for each generation to come.
This may seem like a lot for a child to absorb, but it really isn’t. they understand
If you don’t already have this kind of vision for your children, especially your sons, I urge you to consider coming up with oneā¦and immediately put it into action. It’s really quite simple. Let us begin!
In order to have a multi-generational vision, there must be a few essential things in place.
1) You must already have -or plan to have- children, because without them there is no generation to follow in your footsteps. (This is a fact, wouldn’t you agree?)
2) You must teach your children the vision, so that it does not die.
3) You must have a genuine desire to see your children and grandchildren surpass your level of “success.” I’m not just talking financially, but as a child of God.
4) You must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must put our trust in Him if we ever expect our vision to come true. Plain and simple.
I will now briefly expand on the above list.
Item #1 is a no-brainer.
It is impossible to have a multigenerational vision without the participation of children. Unfortunately, many people today consider children a “burden” instead of what they really are: blessings! Personally, I find debt a burden, don’t you?
But many people get it backwards. In fact, those same people will come to reject blessings (children), but will APPLY for curses (debt). Psalm 127:4-5 says, “As arrows are in the hand of the mighty, so are the sons of your youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them; they will not be ashamed, but will speak to enemies at the gate.” . Wow! Imagine that!
Item #2 is very important. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart: and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you are in your house, and when you walk on the road, and when you when you go to bed, and when you get up.” Tip: In other words, they need to spend time with you learning the various multigenerational tasks and beliefs. Teach them about those who came before them in history who kept the faith. (Hebrews chapter 11 is a excellent place to start).
I think #3 and #4 go hand in hand. By having a personal relationship with Jesus and seeking his will for our lives, I truly believe that this desire to see future generations succeed us will come.
There are many organizations and ministries that offer wonderful resources on this life-changing subject. My favorite (and the one I recommend all parents or parents-to-be check out) is Vision Forum Ministries – http://www.visionforumministries.org.
Doug Phillips, the founder of Vision Forum, is a leader in the field of providing the timely tools men need today to empower their sons so they can have multi-generational vision for their families.
In summary: seek God’s will for your life.
Create a vision for your family. It won’t be the easiest path you’ve ever traveled, but the rewards will be far reaching!
I will close with this quote from Matthew 7:14:
“For narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few are the ones who find it.”
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