One single rose. Gary Barnett became the head coach of the Northwestern University football team in 1992. In the several seasons prior to 1992, Northwestern’s record was 13-51-2 including a 16 game losing streak. Coach Barnett had a vision of Northwestern going to the Rose Bowl – the granddaddy of all bowl games at the time. Every day on his desk he put one single rose as a reminder of that vision. There was no way – not Northwestern! In 1996, they did it – they played in the Rose Bowl! The power of vision.
One of the greatest resources we have, as leaders, is the ability to create and cast vision. When you look at Scripture, we see God giving a vision or a plan to leaders and then charging them and guiding them to lead to that vision. I’m all for collaborative leadership, but democracy is not a leadership principle in Scripture. “Without a revelation (aka, vision) the people cast off restraint” is the NIV translation of Proverbs 29:18. The NLT version says that “the people run wild”.
Your family, church, organization and business all have people who need a radical Godly vision so that they can make the greatest impact of their time, their talents and their treasures. But, and it’s a big but, that does NOT mean that visionary leadership is dictatorial, completely directive or divisive. We must remember that the vortex of vision, at least a radical Godly vision, is love.
When God gives you a vision you become like Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:14 where he said that “Christ’s love compels us.” What is the vision that God has given you as a leader that makes you compelled, through Christ’s love, to accomplish? You see, it’s that kind of radical Godly vision that will change your leadership, your faith, those you lead and, ultimately, will change the world!
With that life-changing focus in mind, let’s look at the four top key reasons radical Godly vision casting is Essential for the Godly Leader.
#1 – RADICAL GODLY VISION CASTING REFLECTS TIME SPENT WITH THE LORD.
The problem with leaders is that they lead. Wow – write that mind blowing phrase down, huh? Haha. What I mean by that is that leaders lead and sometimes they forget, or even worse, push out God from their leadership. If you are a capable, strong, hard-working leader, it is easy to leave God in the rear view mirror. “I got to this place with my skills and gifts and I’ll get to the next stage with those same skills and gifts”, is what we can think whether or not we articulate it or not.
A radical Godly vision is Essential for the Godly Leader because it is God-lead and God-inspired and, as a result, will reflect our awesome God. Sometimes that vision will look very similar to a secular vision – expansion, growth, care, stewardship, etc. Other times, it will look much different – Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays, not having your kid play on the top travel team because of its overdemanding schedule and cost, stepping out in faith to increase the impact of your church, organization or business because you sense a call from the Lord, etc.
In Exodus 34 we see that Moses’s face glowed because he had encountered God and received the ten commandments vision. Do those you lead see in your face, your countenance and hear in your voice that you are glowing with a vision from the Lord for them?
#2 – RADICAL GODLY VISION CASTING ATTRACTS AMAZING GODLY PEOPLE.
Godly people are drawn to God-sized vision. Faith-filled leaders are inspired by vision that requires prayer, obedience, and dependence on God—not comfort or convenience. Your culture will be set by the people involved. As a Godly Leader, your radical Godly vision will bring in radical Godly people that will create and maintain a radical Godly culture.
High-capacity leaders look for meaningful mission. Spiritually mature, gifted people invest where the mission is clear, compelling, and eternally significant. Whether a church, business, non-profit or a volunteer organization, as a Godly Leader you want to attract other Godly leaders to come alongside you. A radical vision is an Essential requirement to accomplish that goal.
A radical Godly vision also clearly communicates what matters most—faith, sacrifice, discipleship, and impact—drawing people who share those convictions. It’s much like Paul did in Acts 16 – asking people to join the radical Godly vision.
#3 – RADICAL GODLY VISION CASTING ENCOURAGES BIBLICAL, GODLY PROBLEM SOLVING.
Too often, leaders will look to secular answers, ungodly counsel and forget to first and foremost seek God and His Word for answers. We don’t need the Google and AI answers to our problems, we need God’s Word to be the answer and guide.
Vision shifts focus from obstacles to obedience. Godly vision reframes problems as opportunities to trust God and respond biblically rather than react emotionally. Clear Godly vision anchors decisions in Scripture, not pressure. When vision is rooted in God’s Word, leaders evaluate challenges through biblical principles instead of urgency, fear, or public opinion.
Vision invites prayer before solutions. Radical Godly vision normalizes seeking God first, ensuring strategy flows from discernment, not just efficiency. God-centered vision produces faith-driven creativity. When the mission is clear, leaders are freed to pursue wise, innovative solutions that honor God without compromising truth or integrity.
Godly Leader, know that being in God’s Word daily for inspiration, relationship and leadership direction is Essential!
James 1:5 (ESV) – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
#4 – RADICAL GODLY VISION CASTING SPREADS HOPE, COURAGE AND FAITHFULNESS.
Vision reminds people that God is still at work. When the going gets tough, Godly vision lifts eyes from current circumstances to God’s ongoing purposes, restoring hope. Bold vision cultivates courage to step forward in faith. When leaders clearly articulate what God is calling His people to, it empowers believers to act with obedience rather than retreat in fear.
Clear vision fuels long-term faithfulness. God-centered vision helps people endure hardship, resist discouragement, and remain committed to the mission even when results are slow or unseen.
As a Godly Leader we have to realize that those we lead need hope, they need courage and they need a clarion call to faithfulness. Be that mouthpiece. Provide that hope. Point them to a preferred future with God on the throne.
Joshua 1:9 (ESV) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments.
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Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!
Essential Godly Leadership: “Leading your life, your family, your work, your relationships, and your world in a way that is seeking wisdom from, and pleasing to, the Lord Jesus.”