The Courage to Be a Visionary

can be global or it can be local. In any case, a vision is quite simple. It is seeing a need and meeting a need.

God has situated each of us in our vocations, our communities, our families and our friendships for a purpose, to meet the needs around us. Real visionaries are individuals who can recognize the needs around them and who are willing and determined to meet those needs.

Esther is an outstanding example of a visionary, a person who identified a need and met the need. Her story is recorded in the Old Testament. She was a Jewish woman who lived in exile in Persia. After marrying King Xerses, she realized that she was in a critical position to help her people, the Jews.

Are you a visionary, or are you just going through the motions of life? Walking in your vision is not limited to famous leaders, pioneers or individuals with a unique ability. It’s not limited to contemporary global icons like former President Barack Obama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, Colin Kaepernick or Sojourner Truth. Too many people are living without a vision or purpose. Did you know that God wants you to be a visionary?

A vision will help you fulfill God’s purpose in your life. There are a variety of visions. Some visions are big and some are small. Some visions can be carried through within weeks and some require several years. A vision

When the King had planned to execute the Jews who lived in his region, Esther was the only one who could possibly change his mind. God had set her up in this position so that she could be a blessing. Her cousin, Mordecai, saw this as a ‘divine set up’ and said: “… who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’ (Esther 4:14b). The story continues by describing how Esther risked everything, including her life, to approach the King and make her request. Christ calls his disciples and the church to do the same. Are you willing to risk it all for the sake of God’s call? When we see someone in need and we know that we can meet the need, the Holy Spirit enables us to help them. Go ahead and be courageous!

In Christ,

Bruce T. Grady, EdD

What is prayer? I define prayer as an intimate dialogue with God, a conversation with your Heavenly Father. Sometimes it is an intimate monologue with God. It is sharing with God the intimate details of your life. Opening up to Him and expressing your feelings, whether they are feelings of joy, happiness, encouragement or feelings of sadness, loneliness, anger, and grief. During prayer, we allow God to talk to us. We allow Him to share what He has on His heart. God gives instructions. He reminds us of His love for us. He expresses His displeasure in our actions and He encourages and strengthens us to endure a test or trial.

It’s been said that prayer moves the arm that moves the world; and if there is anything that can prevail with God and prevail against Satan, it is humble, fervent and earnest prayer. He has commanded us to pray.

There is power in YOUR prayers!

Here are 4 Powerful Principles of Prayer.

Powerful Principle of Prayer #1 - God answers prayers!

God may not give you the answer you expect or desire, but He will answer you. Paul prayed, “Take this thorn from me.” God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient.”

God’s answer is the best answer. It will always work in your favor (Rom. 8:28). You can rest assured that when you come to God that He will not only hear you, but He will answer you.

If you PRAY, God will ANSWER!

Powerful Principle of Prayer #2 – Follow the Leader, Jesus Christ

Jesus was a trailblazer and a standard bearer. He not only instructed us in what to do, but He also showed us by being an example (John 13:15). He became our model, a template, if you will, of how to live a Godcentered life.

Jesus was effective in everything He did. Do you want to know why he was so powerful, so effective? Because of His prayer life or another way of saying it, His life of prayer. It was His ability to maintain a consistent connection with the Father that provided Him the power to impact lives.

Powerful Principle #3 - Prayer brings revelation to your situation

Jeremiah 33:3

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Revelation comes in many shapes and sizes. It could be the answer to a question or the appropriate way to handle a particular situation. Revelation can come in the form of the right person for a particular project or job. Or it can be on how to handle a difficult person. The revelation is there, but you cannot see it. Prayer places you in the proper position to see or to hear the answer or revelation to your situation.

Daniel prayed to God for revelation regarding the fate of the children of Israel. Look at the response to his prayer from the angel.

Daniel 10:12 (NLT)

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

Daniel received revelation for his situation because he prayed. Friend, stop talking to people who cannot help you and start talking to the One who has all the answers and can reveal to you how to handle every situation you face. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Powerful Principle of Prayer #4 - Private Praying Produces Public Power

When you pray in private, God will give you the power to perform in public. Matt 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Jesus prayed privately in the garden Father take this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will your will be done! After that He was strengthened, He was empowered to perform publicly. They beat him and He never said a word; they plucked his beard; they put a crown of thorns on His head; they mocked Him; they whipped Him; they nailed Him to the cross. He died, BUT on the third day HE GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HAND! He was able to powerfully perform in public because He privately prayed to the Father! We are able to do the same! Do not underestimate the power in your prayers. God is waiting to hear from you. Don’t depend on the prayers of others. God is encouraging you and I to call on Him. Remember God answers prayer, follow the leader, prayer brings revelation to your situation, and private praying produces public power.

THERE IS POWER IN YOUR PRAYERS.

Forever NC State

State, Carolina, Duke, or ECU; Was the choice really up to you? Our decision was absolutely fate; Only school for us was NC State; Won NCAA Basketball Championship my freshman year; Then I knew, I was meant to be here; NCSU was pre-ordained; So glad the list comprised my name; Agriculture, Communications, Engineering, Math, and Science Majors; Our faith and studies couldn’t be wagered; Faithfully attending United Student Fellowship; Like-minded students joined at the hip; Basic Studies with Dr. Pam Banks-Lee; Patiently extricating the “Word” for you and me; Attending Bible Study on Friday nights; Praising God with all our might; Wouldn’t trade for anything in this world; Teachings, preaching cultivated men/women out of boys and girls; Learning and growing in USF; Becoming more Christ-like, losing self; Now we realize we were chosen by God; An incredible experience like a synagogue; Sunday Mornings were such a blessing; Singing, fellowshipping, quietly confessing; Preachers like Shelton couldn’t be deterred; Delivering life changing sermons, straight up “Word”; All of us experienced challenges and the like; Yet kept the faith to God, Sneed, Shelton, and Reggie’s delight; Through numerous trials, we prayed and cried; About grades, decisions, telling white lies; Yes, we stumbled and fell along the way; Convicted each time to trust and obey; Our commission is to teach others, all we were taught; Salvation is priceless, can’t be bought; Thank you God for choosing me; Without NCSU, I couldn’t be; Don’t ever give up, keep the faith; Forever “Saved” by Christ, and NC State.

Faith to Fail

Linda Leigh Hargrove attended USF from 1984 to 1996. She is married to Dr. Claude Hargrove. They have three boys and live near Charlotte, NC. Linda is an engineer and a published author.

Romans 8:28

In those early years, one of my professional goals was to be a registered professional engineer. I sat awake at night, imagining two initials listed after my name – P.E. for professional engineer. By the time I landed that job I had already attempted to get certified twice. Certification then was a two-part process: Sit for the first 8-hour exam to become an engineer intern or EI, work four years under a P.E. then sit for another 8-hour exam. It was daunting process of studying and preparing but I was devoted to it.

Do you have the faith to fail? When I started on my journey as an engineer I had no idea there would be many opportunities to exercise my faith through failure. I got my first “real” environmental engineering job after graduation in 1995.

In the face of my testing failures, I was dedicated to doing my job for the state. I managed a multimillion-dollar grant program, tasked with installing water quality control measures throughout my home state, from Murphy to Manteo. I was pleased with my professional accomplishments. I helped install many cool engineering projects. I met many important and influential people along the way. But the failure to get certified always loomed over me. It was my something that I kept secret from the other engineers that I worked with.

I left the position in 2003, frustrated and saddened that I had not been able to pass the first certification exam. I felt like a failure. My husband, an NC State engineering grad, and many of my peers had been able to pass the exam on their first attempt. I have sat for and failed the exam a total of five times. I felt stupid and weak. I’ll be honest. I was also angry at God. If He had allowed me to endure all those years at NC State and graduate with two degrees in engineering, why could He not have helped me pass the exams. Had I not been called according to his purpose, as Romans 8:28 says? Did I not love Him enough?

I carried these questions, and my pain and shame from failure into my next career move at UNC Charlotte in 2011. I currently work as a contributing engineer and faculty associate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the university. The position that I hold is currently temporary. I support research. I help with technical writing, and in some cases, I write articles for the department newsletter. On one occasion recently, I was called upon to write a series of articles on the department’s older graduates.

During one of these interviews I spoke with a graduate who is close to retiring. He started his work as an environmental engineer for the city of Charlotte a few years before I started work with the state. As we talked he revealed his struggles as an engineer trying to create lasting change in the water quality of the greater Charlotte region. Toward the end of the interview, he highlighted a pivotal moment in his career which occurred in the late 90s when financial backing and engineering expertise from the state Department of Environmental Quality helped the city turn a corner. With great conviction, he explained that they would not have been able to realize the environmental strides that the Charlotte region enjoys today if not for help from the state grant program.

I was speechless. He was talking about the grant program that I had administered. He was talking about my work. The work of a non-certified engineer. The work of a selfproclaimed failure.

His words, although meant to merely relay an event in his life and professional development, changed my viewpoint of my own struggles to accept my professional failures. I had not been able to see past my own disappointment to what God had been doing in my life and in the lives of others. Indirectly, I had had a hand in changing not only the life of an engineer working in Charlotte, but I had had a hand in changing the Charlotte region. Merely because I faithfully done my job day in, day out for all those tear-filled years.

I am grateful that I listened to God, with eyes of faith, and not to my heart. If I had listened to my fleshly desire, I would not have had the faith to fail.