Walt & Walt & When the Visionary Doesn’t See it Come to Pass
Did you know Walt Disney died at age 65? And that he never saw Disney World open with his own eyes? I didn’t know!
My daughter is teaching us all kinds of things about Walt while she works on her book report. I was surprised by the tears streaming down my cheeks at the dinner table while she read a small glimpse of his story. He was so young and totally changed history. I think of how he had a vision for a family friendly place to have fun together. I think of my friend Walt (crazy that they share the same name!) who taught me that sometimes God gives you the vision but He plans for someone else to carry it through. Like how King David had the vision for building the temple, but it was his son Solomon who built it.
As a military wife and a visionary, I see lots of visions begin for creative writing or artistic worship groups. Oddly, each of our military assignments ends in a location as the vision finally begins. I think that explains part of the tears down my cheeks for Walt Disney. And for another Walt we love, who was called to complete someone else’s vision. He was also entrusted with a new vision but not the one called to see it come to pass. I feel that tension. And it makes me thankful that the Lord delights to see the work begin. Our days are shorter than we know. So even if I don’t get to see all my visions and dreams come to pass, I can trust that there is great creative power in carrying them even if only in the womb stages. Maybe you too are a seed-planter or a fire-starter? May this comfort to you.
Some people are called to scatter seeds. May you remember with humility that you did your part to plant and don’t covet the job of a harvester. And don’t expect the results of a harvester. Seed planters job are to safely put the seed in the ground so it can die. You have to trust that it will break forth one day in new life. But the breaking forth is not the measure of your success. No. To God be the glory. Obedience, prayer, and praise is all you can do.
Likewise, may those called to harvest remember in humility the people who planted those seeds long before you. You can’t start thinking the size of your crop is a measure of your success. You’ll either end up defeated or proud. No. To God be the glory. Obedience, prayer, and praise is all you can do.
“Should nothing of our efforts stand, no legacy survive, unless the Lord does raise the house, in vain the builders strive.”
To God be the glory.
love, danita jenae
I love this girl with all my heart! Our children, in many ways, will be like Solomon. They will build on the foundation that we are laying today.
***I went to share this post on Instagram today. As I did, Holy Spirit reminded me of the verse where Paul says he laid the foundation as an expert builder but how someone else is building on it. So I looked it up. You guys!!! It talks about planting seeds and everything we just discussed in this post!!! So I CANNOT help but add it here for you to read:
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” -1 Corinthians 3:6-11
I am in awe!