From Jeremiah 1 verses 5-7 emerge two powerful provocative concepts. These concepts apply to any area of life's issues we face. These two concepts are very much interwoven with one's vision for life. Vision can be defined as an organized system of thought, a picture, with a definite course of direction. I like this definition because it is very broad ranged; it can apply to any area of our lives. Now back to our two concepts!
 

These two concepts are: (1)-The big picture; (Jeremiah 1 verse 5) and, (2)-The details; (Jeremiah 1 verses 7-19). Many pursue their vision for life from their perception of the big picture and of what they want accomplished. This is where the problem lies. You see, the strategy to fulfilling any vision does not emerge from the big picture. The reason is, the big picture is a generalization of what you want accomplished - an overall agenda.
 

For instance, in boardrooms across America, corporate executives bring ideas and concepts with the aim that their peers and superiors will buy into them. Once an idea is adopted, they then develop a detailed analysis of how each part fits to make that concept a reality. The 'big picture' is the idea, while the 'details' followed help bring it to pass. You see, the strategy to fulfilling any vision is predicated upon following specific DETAILS! In fact, the strategy to fulfilling any vision is synonymous with the details.

The 'details' convey how to reach your goal. For example, if your big picture is attending a college of your choice, the strategy to successfully get this goal accomplished would be to take the entrance examination then you would apply to the school of your choice by filling the required forms etc. Notice that the mere 'conception' of going to college does not come into fruition until you understand and implement a strategy. By working through the details that stand as the main challenge to you seeing your goal accomplished, you increase your chances for admission to the college of your choice.
 

So we see that the strategy is not in the big picture, but in the details. You only become fulfilled to the degree that you successfully follow the instructions. The wall of Jericho did not fall because of the big picture God conveyed to Israel; it fell because Joshua and the Israelites followed the details God outlined regarding the big picture (which in this case was the falling of the city walls). If Joshua ran with the big picture without following the strategy God gave, which meant they had to march around the walls of Jericho, they would have never seen their big picture turn into a reality! Another example is Noah. Genesis 6 verses 12-13 as taken from the Amplified Bible read:

"And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction.
"God said to Noah, I INTEND TO MAKE AN END TO ALL FLESH, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I WILL DESTROY THEM AND THE LAND."

Notice that the words in capital letters convey the big picture of the judgment of God which was about to fall on the people of Noah's day. Up until this time, nothing is said about how God was going to get this accomplished. All we know is that judgment was coming. To assume how God was going to do it would be dangerous. If God just left Noah with only this information, he would have been left in the dark big time. Thank God, He did not! In Genesis 6 verses 14-15 it reads thus:

"MAKE YOURSELF an ark of gopher or cyper wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, and compartments) and cover it inside and out with pitch (bitumen).
"And this is THE WAY YOU ARE TO MAKE IT: the length of the ark shall be 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits[that is, 450 ft. x 75 ft. x 45 ft.]."

Need we say anymore; I encourage you to read the rest of this chapter, and the two following. You can see that some details of God's strategy are beginning to emerge. God gives very precise details as to how things are to be done. The big picture as you can see, does not require physical labor, but the strategy does. The strategy is where the rubber meets the road. The exercise of faith is the deciding factor; for without it, no great idea can be conceived or accomplished. (This also means that Noah had to have faith in himself, that God would not be disappointed for choosing him). These concepts once understood and fully embraced will revolutionize our effectiveness in any given area of life we undertake.

(The above vision pearl is an excerpt from the book, Uncovering the Hidden Stranger Within). 

To order this dynamic book: $10.00 plus S/H