How To Create a Christian Vision Board

 

Let’s face it. As every New Year approaches, millions of people sit down, plan out the upcoming year, write down their goals and more than half prepare a vision board. New Years resolutions, which I will address in another blog post, are sometimes a part of the vision board. So the questions today is, how should Christians create a vision board that respects the confines of a Christian life?

Years ago, I attended a Vision Board Party hosted by a church elder in a New York City Christian Church. It was a coed party, and the church offered us hot chocolate, pastries, and everything you need to have a successful vision board party. Pastor Ralph started the party off by inviting everyone to share a great moment they experienced in the year that was about to end. This opened people’s minds up to the possibilities for the upcoming year. It was one of the best vision board parties I’ve ever attended. I’ve used this exercise when putting together my own vision board parties for clients, team members, family members and others.

The last days of a year, and the anticipation of the start of a brand new year often comes with hope and the possibility of so many new things. I like to reflect on how my year went, and then enter into prayer for a new year that is full of promise, prosperity, possibility, provision and promotion. It is in being intentional in our consideration of the opportunities that a new year presents, we most certainly make space for God to do amazing things in our lives and the lives of those we love. The excitement of the launch of something new in a new time often draws me even closer to the God that I so love. So how do we remain intentional in welcoming Our Heavenly Father into the vision?

The first step should be obvious. As Christians, we should approach every situation, every conversation and every event or action with one question in mind; what does God say about this? We should take it to The Word.

What does the Word say about writing down your visions (vision board)? As a Bible Based Christian, I am called to write down the visions God gives to me. I do this daily through my journal, through the notes I take during my Bible study time, through the notes I take when I listen to a message from a Pastor, and through the process of creating a detailed vision board and leaving space in it to add things as God inspires me to do so. I am not telling you that you need to do all of these. Each person’s relationship with God is personal and authentically customized to them.

I set out to write this blog to help encourage you to develop a closer, more intimate, vision driven relationship with God. It’s a way to stay focused on your God given dreams, calling and purpose. We will be going into detail about how to create an encouragement and focus driven vision board, but first, let’s take it to The Word of God.

“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2–3

So now as we prepare to jump into valuable tips on how to prepare a Christian vision board, let’s remember that we must put ourselves in the presence of God, ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and remember that Jesus shared visions of things to come with His disciples.

What language should you use in your Vision Board?

By language, I don’t mean Spanish, English, French. Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, etc. Christians are known to speak differently than others. I once heard it said that we speak Christianese. You may notice that in a Christian vision board, you will see more scripture driven language and kingdom driven goals. You may even notice that the goals are less materialistic and more relationship driven. Christians chase after God, not after fancy toys and things. If you want your vision board to be Kingdom language driven, match your goals and desires to scripture. For example, if one of your goals is a new house, find scripture about God blessings His people with homes. Christians surrender everything to the Lord, even their wants and desires. Likewise, Christians believe that the desires of our hearts, when we are in relationship with God, are put in our hearts by God, if those desires match the Word of God. We should put those desires on our vision board and pair them off with scripture.

How do we know it’s a Christian Vision Board?

First let’s describe what a vision board is. One definition calls it a collage of pictures, text, and other items that represent and affirm one’s dreams and ambitions, created to help visualize and focus on one or more specific aspirations. Think of vision boards as visual reminders or posters of your plans, goals, aspirations, desires and assignments for the upcoming year.

The biggest difference between a worldly vision board and a Christian vision board is in the preparation of the mind and heart for the task. Christians should always enter into an atmosphere of prayer before putting together their vision board. That way instead of the vision board being a reflection of your own desires, it becomes a reflection of Christ’s presence in your life.

Vision boards are a great way for those of us who have a hard time expressing ourselves in written or spoken form to put together a collection of our thoughts by the way of pictures, and paired with scriptures that match those pictures. Your board should have just as many Bible passages as photos and images. This removes the burden of having to write out your mental pictures. It’s a way of not focusing on expressing yourself verbally, but rather letting an actual image (picture, photo, painting, clipart, etc.) and God’s own words describe the desires of your heart. Vision boards give clarity to your thoughts, and gives you a visual reminder of your plans, goals, aspirations, desires and assignments. Adding scripture points the attention and glory back to God.

So why a party? Why not simply prepare your own Christian vision board in the privacy and intimacy of your own home? That’s a great question. The answer, it’s an opportunity for you to fellowship with other Christians, and life with other like-minded Christians is always more fun than life alone. Also, preparing your Christian vision board with a friend or a group of friends gives you support and accountability partners on the upcoming year’s journey. Doing this activity as a group will also allow you to inspire others and be inspired by them to dream bigger, seek greater and live holier. I can tell you that I’ve had other participants bring out a greater vision for myself and my future than if I had done this activity by myself. Besides, Jesus told us that were two or more gather in His name, He is there.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Others may be able to point you in the right direction. If you pray together before doing your vision boards together, you invite God to be at the center of your decisions. Surrounding yourself with good Godly people will also help you figure out your strengths, your weaknesses, your areas of deficiency, and the areas of excess. You can learn a lot about yourself by inviting feedback from people who love you and care about you. The more you learn about yourself, the more you’ll be able to articulate Kingdom worthy goals for your vision board.

Of course all of us are flawed. That being said, make sure you take all feedback (good or not so good) and bring it to the foot of the cross. Spend time with God in prayer. Ask God for wisdom and knowledge when preparing a purpose driven vision board. Let the Light of God guide your steps.

To write it or not to write it; why does it matter?

Why did we take notes in school? To remember what we learned and to be able to revisit it whenever we forget or have doubt. Notes about our vision board are helpful in reminding us why we put that item (plan, goal, aspiration, desire or assignment) up on the board in the first place.

I know that some of us simply don’t like taking notes or writing in general. This usually comes from it feeling like homework that is assigned to us by someone else. What if you change your thinking about writing things down? Instead of seeing it as a task that you do for others, think of it as a love letter you prepare for yourself. Your notes are not meant to sound like perfectly constructed, essay style, novel ready, Nobel Prize worthy publications. Your notes are from you, for you. So if you feel like writing, “get healthy and get back into them skinny jeans”, or if you feel like writing, “stop letting my fear of bullies and haters stop me from going for it”, or “get rid of the crusty attitude”, then write it just like that.

By the way, you can find scripture to fit any of your goals. Check it out:

HEALTHY AND SKINNY JEANS:
‘Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.’ I Corinthians 6:19–20

COURAGE AGAINST BULLIES AND HATERS:
‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ II Timothy 1:7

THE CRUSTY ATTITUDE:
‘Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.’ Philippians 4:8

I would suggest you prepare a New Year resolution. Write down your top 12 goals. Why twelve? Well, you might be thinking that because I’m a Christian I wanted them to represent the 12 disciples, or the 12 tribes of Israel, or because we find it in 187 places in the Bible. The truth is that I recommend 12 because there are 12 months in the year so you can split your goals down to one a month, and if you fall behind on one, you still have half a month to catch up on it before moving onto the next one.

So write down 12 BIG but attainable goals on your New Year’s resolution. Write them down and look at them as a to-do list. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words but sometimes a word can add a thousand more meanings to a picture. Combining words and pictures puts you in the right frame of mind, to communicate your thoughts to yourself and others with more clarity. Write out the view, the vision and the victory that God puts in your mind and heart. A visual representation of your plans, goals, aspirations, desires and assignments for the upcoming year in the form of a Christian vision board will create mental pictures that will draw your attention to the doors and roads that lead you to small and big wins. Writing your vision out on your board is like writing down the revelations you’ve received from God. Don’t let God’s Voice, View and Victory land on the wayside, on stony places or amongst the thorns. Write His Voice, His View and His Victory down and let your mind and your life be like good, fertile ground (Matthew 13:3–9).

When I first started hosting Christian vision board parties, many of the attendees gave me the same excuse as secular people gave me when first getting started. It pains me that there are so many believers who say they cannot be creative. Really? Are you not created in God’s image? God is so creative that he created the heavens and earth and everything in them, including man & woman in just 6 days (Genesis 1:1–31)! If that’s not creative, then what is? God also showed us the importance of writing things down when he gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17), written down on tablets. Why wouldn’t you believe that you are 1. creative and 2. called to write down your creative ideas? When you write down your ideas and pair them off with pictures and visuals, you have a clearer vision of how to pray for these.

Unlike regular vision boards which don’t include this as a requirement, a Christian vision board can only be properly created when we communicate intimately with God. Christian vision boards must be connected to consistent prayer so that we can hear from our Father and write down His ideas for us. The Christian vision board is about much more than a new Gold Rolex Presidential watch, or a luxury home in Delray Beach, or a new Hermès handbag, or that Black on Black BMW 740i xDrive Sedan you’ve been dreaming of. Sure all of the above mentioned luxuries sound great, but a Christian vision board will include some items with more meaning.

Christian vision boards include things you hope God will intervene in. These may include restored relationships with important people, renewed passion in your marriage, returning to happier times in your home, time spent with old friends and family members, a trip to your childhood home, the creation of a Christian Bible based business that blesses others, health for your children, finding a kingdom spouse (kingdom husband or kingdom wife) to enjoy a kingdom marriage with, the launch of a ministry, the revival of a struggling church or ministry, forgiving someone who wronged you and restoring that relationship, writing that Christian book you’ve always wanted to share, etc. When you include these on your vision board and you add corresponding scripture, you can develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God that includes prayer, thinking of others, and creating lasting relationships that revolve around fellowship and worship.

We’ve all prayed for one or more of the topics listed below. How many of us have actually attached scripture to them.

• Relationship with God: ‘Delight yourself also in the Lord , And He shall give you the desires of your heart.’ Psalms 37:4
• Family: ‘May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children.’ Psalms 115:14
• Career: ‘Commit your works to the Lord , And your thoughts will be established.’ Proverbs 16:3
• Finances: ‘Thus says the Lord , your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.’ Isaiah 48:17
• Ability: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13
• Children: ‘All your children shall be taught by the Lord , And great shall be the peace of your children.’ Isaiah 54:13
• Vision: ‘ When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!’ Proverbs 29:18
• Wisdom: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.’ James 1:5
• Faith: ‘So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ Matthew 17:20
• Diligence / Patience: ‘The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.’ Proverbs 21:5
• Partnerships: ‘Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.’ Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
• Courage: ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ II Timothy 1:7
• Dreams & Aspirations: ‘You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows.’ Job 22:27
• Forgiveness: ‘bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.’ Colossians 3:13
• Friendships: ‘A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24
• Marriage: ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.’ Genesis 2:24
• Kingdom Husband: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,’ Ephesians 5:25
• Kingdom Wife: ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord .’ Proverbs 18:22
• Passion In Marriage: ‘Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.’ I Corinthians 7:3–5
• Success: ‘May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.’ Psalms 20:4
• Kingdom Work/Ministry: ‘And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;’ Ephesians 4:11–13
• Rest & Leisure: ‘‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.’ Leviticus 23:3
• Health: ‘Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’ III John 1:2
• *ADD YOURS HERE:

You can add just about anything on this list. Then find pics and images that match these to give you a visual that will stir up emotions and encourage you to pray to Our Father in Heaven.

What materials will you need for the vision board?

• First and foremost, get your Bible ready.
• You may want to have a Bible highlighter handy as well.
• Get some bookmarks to mark your places in your Bible.
• Some people use corkboards, others use cardboard paper boards.
• Get a pair of scissors for every person attending.
• Get pictures of the people or things you will be praying over.
• Get as many old magazines as possible. You will be cutting images out.
• Hold it all together with glue or tape. If using a corkboard, get pushpins.
• Get index cards and construction paper to write down scriptures on.
• Get good markers, pens, color pencils and other supplies to write with.
• Have decorative items to personalize your board. Make it yours!

What materials will you need for the party?

• Have light food and refreshments. You don’t need to cater or get too fancy. Finger foods work best.
• You may want to grab some good worship music. Read the room. You will know what songs to pick out and play. Or you may just want to go to the pros and pull up a good Christian station.
• Make sure you choose a location with good lighting. You don’t want your guests struggling to see what they are doing.
• Set a comfortable area. Again, read the room. Some of us are very comfortable sitting on the floor and doing this. Others may need the back support of sitting on a sturdy chair by a spacious table.

Write your New Year resolution out before the party.

I am fairly organized (some describe my wife and I as borderline OCD because we like structure). So, I would never show up to a Christian vision board party without having some scripture already picked out and having my New Year resolution written out. I would probably also have the 12 top goals written out, although these are subject to change once we start sharing in the party. Show up prepared and you’ll be ready to get more out of this event.

Finally, wear comfortable clothes to the Christian vision board party. So many people show up dressed in clothes that clearly tell us they forgot they would be dealing with glue, markets, finger foods, refreshments and other party supplies that can damage your pretty cashmere sweater. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment or discouragement. Don’t come uncomfortable and expect to be able to connect with God and with the other people at the party. I’m not suggesting you show up with anything that would not be flattering for photos. But there’s no need for the three piece suit and the formal evening gown.

Please consider sharing this post with others. After the couple of year’s we’ve had, I think everyone can use some vision and fellowship in the upcoming year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

George L. Rosario is a Brooklyn NY born & raised businessman & entrepreneur turned consultant. He started GC Rosario Group with his lovely wife Claudia. With over 30 years of service to the marketplace in NYC, George has relocated and been graciously adopted by the business community of South Florida. He now travels the country helping businesses and organizations thrive in today’s noisy environment. The post-Covid era forced many to close their doors, but also opened new doors of opportunity, growth and prosperity for innovative thinkers. George & Claudia Rosario help companies, businesses, organizations and teams develop the necessary skillset and plan of action to not just survive, but thrive in this new world. GC Rosario Group helps both secular and Christian based institutions meet their goals.