This past weekend at Mercy Hill Church, we talked about what it means to have a God-sized vision—the kind of vision that sees past what’s broken and imagines what God could rebuild (listen to the sermon here). When Nehemiah looked at the ruins of Jerusalem, he didn’t just see rubble. He saw the outline of a city restored. That’s the power of godly vision—it takes faith to see what could be when all you can see is what is.

After hearing a message like this, it’s natural to ask, “How do I actually develop a vision like that for my own life?” That’s something I’ve thought about and practiced for a long time. One of the most helpful tools I’ve discovered is something called a Vivid Vision.

What Is a Vivid Vision?

Full disclosure—this concept didn’t originate with me. It comes from entrepreneur Cameron Herold, whose book Vivid Vision changed the way I think about casting vision for the future. I first read it in early 2024, but it built on lessons I’d already learned through mentors like Sean Lovejoy and several business leaders who taught me that it’s not enough to just set goals—you must see them.

That idea, to me, is deeply biblical. When God led Moses and Israel toward the Promised Land, he didn’t just say, “You’re going somewhere better.” He painted a vivid picture of a land flowing with milk and honey. God gave his people a vision they could imagine, not just a destination to reach.

That’s the heart of a vivid vision—grabbing a moment from the future and pulling it into the present.

How to Write a Vivid Vision

When you sit down to write your own vivid vision, Cameron Herold suggests looking about three years ahead. One year doesn’t allow enough time for meaningful change, and five years is too unpredictable. Three years hits the sweet spot—far enough to dream big, but close enough to act.

For me, I imagine myself sitting on my back porch around Christmas, the fire burning after our church’s final Christmas service. I’m looking back on the last three years and reflecting on what God has done. From that moment, I begin to ask questions:

  • What has happened in my fitness, family, flock, and finances?
  • What prayers has God answered?
  • What growth have I seen?
  • What has he done that I never could have orchestrated on my own?

Then I start writing. It begins messy—lots of bullet points and scattered ideas—but eventually it becomes an 8–10-page document that mixes what has happened with how it feels. It’s not just a list of goals; it’s a story.

And here’s the key: a vivid vision isn’t meant to sound ordinary. It’s meant to stretch your faith. It should feel a little edgy—wise, but bold. The kind of vision that requires God to move or it simply won’t happen.

The Power of Accountability

There’s also a biblical principle that makes a vivid vision even more powerful: saying it out loud.

In Nehemiah 2, after surveying the broken walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah finally speaks. He says, “You see the trouble we are in… Come, let us build.” That’s when things start to change. The people rally and say, “Let us rise up and build.” Vision gains power when it’s shared.

The same is true for your life. When you tell trusted people what you’re pursuing, they help you stay accountable. It’s the same principle we see throughout Scripture—encourage one another, stir one another up to good works, bear one another’s burdens.

So, don’t just write your vivid vision. Share it. Tell your spouse, your small group, or a close friend. Let others in on what God is stirring in your heart.

Hold It Loosely, But Pursue It Boldly

I started writing my first vivid vision in the summer of 2024, focused on where I hoped to be by the end of 2027. Now that I’m a year into it, I’ve already seen things shift. Some goals have changed. Some dreams look different. But that doesn’t make it a failure. A vivid vision is a tool, not a promise. It’s something God uses to move us forward, not something we use to box him in. Hold it loosely enough for God to redirect, but tightly enough to stay faithful to the calling he’s given. The process itself—writing it, refining it, praying over it, sharing it—is often what God uses to shape you.

A Personal Word

When I look back at the seasons in my life where I’ve seen the most growth, it’s almost always been when I was chasing a vision that felt bigger than me. Writing it down made me pray harder, believe deeper, and depend more fully on God. That’s really what a vivid vision is about—it’s not about controlling outcomes; it’s about aligning your imagination with God’s heart.

So, take some time this week to dream with God. Sit with him. Picture what your life could look like three years from now if he moved powerfully in every area—your family, your work, your walk with Him. Then write it down. Speak it out. And trust him to build something you could never build on your own. If you’re curious what this looks like in real life, I’d love to share my own vivid vision with you. Just shoot me an email, and I’ll be glad to send it your way.

God has always been in the business of rebuilding—taking what’s broken and making it beautiful again. And when we align our vision with his, we get to be part of that story.

Andrew Hopper