Write the Vision–For it Will Surely Come
I want to take this opportunity to express congratulations to those 2009 graduates of Institute for the Arts, as well as those receiving 1st and 2nd year certificates.
It was a great year and the graduation ceremony was the icing on the cake. We were privileged to have one of the leading worship leaders of our day, Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, worship leader for Joel Osteen Ministries, as our keynote speaker. As Cindy spoke, I felt a deep sense of eternal destiny being deposited into the students as well as parents, alumni, and instructors in attendance.
As the overseers of this ministry, Joe and I are always so encouraged during this time of the year. Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us, “And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day”.
To watch those graduates lead worship together for the last time, to hear the performance choir raise the anthems of heaven and to see the wonder of future ministries in students’ eyes, is very rewarding. Yes, the vision speaks. It speaks with a clarion call. It not only speaks, it shouts. It shouts to all from a very grass roots place that we are fulfilling God’s mandate. The Lord said to us, “(Joe-Becky), I love you and if you want to travel and lead worship around the world, that is okay with me. But what I would rather you do–is to take what I have put in you and put it into the hands and hearts of the next generation!”
And that my friends, is what we have done and will continue to do as long as we have breath! John, Violet, Chris, Raphael, James, Lily, Joe–this one is for you! Run now–it’s your turn!