Where there is no vision, the people perish…
~ from Proverbs 29
Doulos Family Vision Statement (implemented 5 May 2013):
1. We Live for God’s glory. We utterly forsake the concept that life is “about us,” and refuse to set up others as conduits to our happiness. We live to make God famous and enjoy the sense of Love and belonging He pours into our lives.
2. We Live in Love. We are, firstly, profoundly and affectionately concerned about other’s well-being. We willingly lay our lives aside for others, regardless of whether the other person is willing to reciprocate. We know deeply that Love (God is Love) is the only force in the universe able to change the human heart.
3. We Live in Righteousness. We have no ability to do the right thing on our own. However, we are convinced that God can and will both give, and Live out His perfect righteousness through us, as we trust Him to do it. We are a family under His Authority, and simply live as His ambassadors – Him Living through us – in right action, justice, mercy and Love in all situations.
4. We Live in Joy. We understand that His joy is the diamond-hard strength to successfully live out the Life Jesus has given us. We commit to joy, knowing that any other approach to life is simply a path to failure. We know that life is not always happy and fun, but we are convinced that it is brighter than we often make it out to be!
5. We Live in Peace. We have no time for enemies. He Himself is our Peace and has broken down the dividing wall of separation between all people – and between ourselves and Him. We profoundly agree with God on this point.
6. We Live in Thankfulness. We refuse to complain about the tactical issues of life or how people fail us or do not meet our expectations. We do, rather, choose to live the Abundant Life promised us by Jesus.
7. We Live in Grace. When people inevitably fail, we simply love them and willingly give of ourselves and resources to help them grow. We impart the goodness God has lavishly poured into us, onto others.
8. We Live in Faith. Faith is the vital catalyst of God’s Grace. We willingly and fully engage this substance of things hoped for, knowing that God is both willing and able to do great things.
9. We Live in Forgiveness. Everything that has ever happened to us, is in the past. And we give up any hope that the past can be anything different than it was. We simply share the copious forgiveness poured onto us by Jesus, with others.
10. We Live in Hope. We are totally convinced that the eternal Life we already live in now is going to become immeasurably better on That Day. We will be one with Him and share in a Kingdom which has no end.
11. We Live Now. There is no other place to live but in the infinitesimal moment between the past and the future. It is the only place where God and we can abide without interruption. It is the only place in Him where we can bear the much fruit He promises.
12. We Live in Victory. We are persuaded that absolutely nothing can separate us from the infinitely powerful Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are convinced that God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. We will, therefore, march forward into life – and bring this infinitely powerful Love to bear on every situation God allows us to experience.
