Part III - When the Vision Is Just Right: Spirit-Led, Strategic, and Surrendered
We’ve talked about what happens when vision is too big—when it outpaces reality and burns everyone out. We’ve also explored what happens when it’s too small—when fear or fatigue causes a church to shrink back from faith.
But what does it look like when vision is just right?
Let’s stay with our Goldilocks metaphor a little longer. The “just right” porridge wasn’t about temperature—it was about what could actually be enjoyed and digested. That’s the kind of vision your church needs. Not something too hot to handle. Not something too cold to stir anyone. But something that feeds your people, stretches your faith, and honors the Spirit.
Faith-Filled Doesn’t Mean Fantasy
Here’s the tension: “just right” vision still feels impossible… unless God shows up.
The right kind of vision isn’t the one you can pull off with sheer effort or clever strategy. It’s also not the one that lives entirely in the clouds. It’s the one where the Spirit gives the what, and you step forward in obedience with the how—humbly, prayerfully, and wisely.
“God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s timing, brings God’s provision.”
— A.W. Tozer
Right-sized vision lives in that tension. It’s too big for you to do alone, but not so vague that no one can follow. It’s thrilling but rooted. Faith-filled but not fantasy. Strategic but surrendered.
What Right-Sized Vision Looks Like
Here are a few characteristics of “just right” vision:
It’s anchored in prayer, not personality. It doesn’t rely on your charisma or platform. It begins in the quiet place, in the stillness of asking God, “What are You doing here—and how can I join You?”
It inspires movement, not just applause. Good vision doesn’t just get people excited. It gets them engaged. If your vision stirs emotion but not action, it’s not ready yet.
It includes practical steps. Dreams become direction when you attach steps to them. A right-sized vision has a timeline, milestones, and space for feedback. It makes room for real progress.
It gets better in community. If the vision crumbles when you open it up to others, it probably wasn’t from the Spirit. Right-sized vision invites collaboration. It multiplies, rather than shrinks, in the hands of your team.
It keeps you humble. The right vision doesn’t elevate the leader—it reveals our need for the Lord. It’s the kind of dream that makes you pray harder, listen longer, and move slower. Because you know you can’t fake your way into fruitfulness.
Nehemiah: A Picture of "Just Right"
Nehemiah gives us a beautiful model. His vision wasn’t flashy—it was to rebuild a wall. But it was God-sized because it required buy-in from broken people, protection from enemies, and wisdom for every next step. It was birthed in prayer, refined in planning, and fueled by shared ownership.
He didn’t move fast. He moved faithfully. And in just 52 days, the wall was rebuilt.
Vision That Honors God and Energizes People
We often ask pastors:
“When has God ever given a vision that didn’t seem impossible?”
The answer is: rarely. But here’s the other side of that truth: when has God ever called His people and not provided for the path? He gives vision. Then He gives provision. He gives direction. Then He gives confirmation. He stirs faith. Then He strengthens our hands.
A Final Word
If your vision feels “just right”—don’t second-guess it because it’s not flashy enough. And if your vision feels thrilling but terrifying, don’t throw it out—take it to the Lord and ask for the next step.
Right-sized vision is one of the greatest gifts you can give your church. It feeds them. It leads them. And it shows them what it means to walk by faith.
Need help finding your “just right vision?” Reach out to me - brad@replicate.org!