By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

Scripture teaches that the life of faith is best when lived through a long vision—a way of choosing today what will bring blessing tomorrow. This kind of vision begins with understanding God’s promises and trusting that His work often unfolds beyond what we can immediately see.

When God brought Abraham outside and told him to look up at the stars, He was inviting him into a promise far larger than his lifetime. Abraham would not witness the full number of his descendants, nor the arrival of the Messiah who would come through his lineage. Yet he believed God anyway. Galatians 3:26–29 reminds us that all who belong to Christ are grafted into that same promise. Believers today are part of the spiritual family God promised Abraham. In a real sense, we are among the “stars” God pointed to that night!

This perspective shapes how followers of Christ approach daily life. Faith looks beyond the immediate. It gives us strength to persevere through seasons where results are not yet visible.

Short Vision Living

Abraham’s story also reveals how easy it is to fall back into short vision thinking. Twice he misrepresented his marriage out of fear, and he and Sarai attempted to force the fulfillment of God’s promise through Hagar, creating division that lasted generations. Short vision tends to focus on self-preservation, quick solutions, and meeting personal needs immediately, even at the cost of integrity or relationships.

These kinds of decisions often lead to regret. When we choose what feels good in the moment, we may find ourselves dealing with consequences that stretch far beyond what we intended. Many people can recall moments where a shortcut seemed harmless—a careless purchase, an emotional decision, a reckless act—but later discovered how much it cost.

Yet even in these moments, God’s mercy remains. Abraham’s story shows that God is able to redeem short-sighted choices and lead His people forward.

A Life Shaped by Long Vision

Abraham’s long vision is most clearly seen in the moment God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. By this time Abraham had walked with God long enough to know His character. Hebrews 11 explains that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. His obedience was not blind—it was anchored in trust. He believed God’s promise more than he trusted his own understanding.

Long vision grows from that kind of trust. It looks past immediate desires and focuses on what brings lasting blessing. It helps shape our actions to honor God, strengthen relationships, and build a legacy of faithfulness.

History provides clear examples of this kind of commitment. William Wilberforce labored for decades to end the British slave trade, pushing forward through illness, political opposition, and personal attacks. The Slave Trade Act finally passed just days before his death—a victory seen only at the end of a long obedience.

Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, chose from the beginning to close his restaurants on Sundays. This decision cost millions in potential revenue, but it flowed from a long vision rooted in honoring God. Despite operating fewer days open than competitors, the chain eventually became one of the highest-grossing in the nation.

Both lives illustrate that long vision often means slow progress, steady obedience, and blessings that multiply over time.

God’s Pathway to Blessing

Psalm 128 gives a simple picture of long vision living: blessing comes to those who walk in reverence before God. This posture shapes work, marriage, family, and inner peace. The Christian life becomes a steady marathon rather than a sprint. It’s not driven by crisis moments alone but by daily trust—choosing to walk with God now, not waiting for emergencies to seek Him.

For some, faith begins in crisis—a strained relationship, a diagnosis, a financial collapse. God meets people there with compassion. But long vision invites believers into something deeper: a lasting relationship with God that grows day by day, not only when life hurts but also when life is ordinary.

Developing a Long Vision Today

Developing a long vision begins with trusting that God is good. His character becomes the anchor when our circumstances are shaken. Believers grow as they learn to believe God even when life becomes difficult, cultivating gratitude that shifts focus from the immediate to the eternal. Reflecting on the repeated consequences of short vision choices helps reinforce the need for a better way.

This long vision applies to many areas of life. In relationships, it means choosing forgiveness, honor, and commitment over offense and cancellation. Proverbs 27:10 and Exodus 20:12 remind us that loyalty and honor are part of God’s long-term design for relational health. In life decisions, long vision means asking where a path ultimately leads and committing plans to the Lord, as Proverbs 16:3 instructs. And in our walk with God, long vision means knowing Him today, not assuming there will always be another tomorrow. Psalm 27:1 reminds us that none of us controls the future.

Choosing What Blesses Tomorrow

The call of Scripture is clear: live with a long vision. Make decisions today that bless tomorrow. Trust God’s promises even when the results are still unfolding. Walk with Him daily so that your life becomes a reflection of His character over time.

Developing a long vision doesn’t begin with tomorrow—it begins today.