In life, we’re all called on a voyage—a passage a to discover the immeasurable treasures Skipper desires before us. Catching God’s next vision for you means agreeing with the desires He plants in your heart and stepping into His divine plans. Each step of this journey is you catching God’s next vision for you in a way that deepens your faith.
These “Skipper” visions are His incredible revelations for us—riches unique for each of us. And it’s not one vision, but many. Think of each longing “daydream” as a “prize”—a treasure shipped off ahead of us ready for the taking. These visions become our spiritual horizon, destinations that call us to trust in Skipper’s masterful plan for their deliverance.
Jesus says to us in Mark 11:24, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” What we believe is what we receive. As you decide a matter, it is established for you. As we think in our hearts, so it is. Jesus and the Father are clear: Our faith shapes the outcomes of our lives. What we see with our spiritual eyes is what we catch.
Psalm 37:4 reminds us that these visions are birthed by God: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Pray for Spiritual Vision
Most journeys start with a destination. In spiritual terms, this means praying for our spiritual eyes to be opened in order to see what lies below the horizon. This is the first step in catching God’s next vision for you. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” Like Bartimaeus, who though blind, saw himself healed by Jesus (Mark 10:46-52), we too must boldly and persistently ask Skipper to give us sight for the things we’ve yet to receive.
Praying for vision is an act of faith and surrender, but also a surprise. It’s acknowledging that we cannot find what satisfies the deep longing of our soul without allowing Skipper to set the course we steer. As we pray, we trust that Skipper will adjust our heading.
Fix Your Gaze on the Unseen
Skipper’s plans often require us to sail over the rim and look beyond the visible—an essential task for catching God’s next vision for you. 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us to, “Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Like Abraham, who trusted God’s promise of a child (Genesis 15:5-6), we must hold fast to the conviction of what we know in our heart God desires for us.
Recognize That Your Desires Reflect His Vision
The more we remain in Christ and He in us, the more His desires become ours. Philippians 2:13 tells us, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” As we rest in His Spirit, read His word, and believe God is good and His word is true, the more our dreams and goals come into focus. A bouncing ship makes it hard to sight the prize, but with patience and God’s word, daily filling of His Spirit, and prayer, we can dial in the vision.
Jesus promises us in John 15:5 that we will bear much fruit by remaining in His word, Spirit, and fellowship. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.” Our ability to bear fruit—to fulfill His vision—depends entirely on our connection with Him through God’s word, Spirit, and intimacy in prayer with God.
Give Thanks Before the Treasure’s in Hand
Gratitude is a powerful act of faith, and it aligns our hearts with the act of catching God’s next vision for you. When we thank Skipper before we catch our prize, we acknowledge our belief that He has already given us what we desire. Jesus modeled this when He gave thanks before feeding the five thousand with just five loaves and two fish (John 6:11). Jonah, too, praised God from the belly of a great fish, trusting in His deliverance (Jonah 2:9).
1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands us to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude can turn lack into abundance, and confinement to deliverance. Think of Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God while in jail (Acts 16:25-26). Praise and thanks for the good they enjoyed set them free.
Sail Expectantly
In the world of seafaring, a lookout’s role is critical—they must stay vigilant, scanning the horizon for signs of land or danger or the prize sighted. Similarly, we are called to sail expectantly with a weather eye out for storms. A course is set and destination anticipated, but enemy ships lurk just waiting to sink our vision. Habakkuk 2:3 assures us, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Sail, expecting to reach your prize and should he send a blow, be ready to lob God’s word back at the enemy.
Consider Simeon, who waited faithfully for the Messiah and was rewarded with the sight of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:25-32). As you wait, continue to journal the promises, blessings, warnings, and commands you receive from scripture. Pray these aloud. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word (Romans 10:17). Your ears are the closest to your mouth. Bolster your faith by speaking God’s word to your spirit.
Be Attuned to Shifting Winds
Catching the vision sometimes calls you to adjust your heading. When headwinds prevent you from sailing directly toward your prize, fall off, or tack over, but continue sailing toward your prize. In time, a “lift” in the wind will come, allowing you to point up and return to your original heading.
Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
When the gales blow, ask, “How best can I hold this course?” Rare is the passage that enjoys fair winds for long. Anticipate the squalls and remember that all storms eventually pass.
Speak Faith-Filled Declarations
The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21), and our words can either build or hinder our faith. Ezekiel 37:1-10 illustrates the power of spoken faith. In a valley of dry bones, he spoke life, and those bones came to life.
Speak the promises of Skipper over your vision. Mark 11:23-24 encourages us to speak to our problems and possibilities. Jesus says, “If you have God’s faith, truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Speak to your vision. Rebuke the waves and wind. Cast your problems into the sea. If you have the Spirit of Jesus in you, when your words are God’s words, you speak with the authority of the One who created all things.
Set Sail by Catching God’s Next Vision for You
You can’t reach your vision if you don’t hoist the sails. Once you’ve seen the vision with your spiritual eyes, it’s time to weigh anchor and risk discomfort, hard work, and long days out of sight of land. Philippians 3:13-14 urges us, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Don’t linger in the harbor of fear or indecision. Trust Skipper to guide you through calm waters and gales. Keep your face toward the bow, not toward the stern. Remember, the prize lies ahead, not behind. “Back” is seldom the correct course when God calls us to advance.
Embracing the Adventure
Stepping into Skipper’s plan requires faith, trust, and action. By catching God’s next vision, you align with His desires and step into the treasures He has already prepared for you. It’s a call to step out of your comfort zone, navigate uncharted waters, and trust Skipper’s goodness and guidance. As you embark on this voyage, remember that Skipper’s desire for you to catch your prize is even greater than your own. He has equipped you with everything you need for success, so set sail.
Wherever you’re going, that’s where you’ll be. Set a course for your dreams today!
The Pirate Preacher lives to encourage others to seek the abundant life Jesus promised. He believes so deeply in the power of Jesus and His words that this pirate named his publishing company Dry Bones Publishing. He believes that Catching God’s Next Vision for You begins with speaking God’s words over the works of your hands. Even dead books and works can come alive when we speak the words of the living God over them.
Such timely words for me. Thanks.