We heard a sermon today that focused on the matter of vision being from God, and simply not something that we can "do". The preacher said emphatically: "never have a committee to sit down and 'do visioning' because that is a contradiction in terms." This was based on the text where Jesus goes to the mountaintop for the transfiguration experience. Peter and James, who went with him, tried to explain it, turn it into a shrine, or a ritual. Her main point was that you simply cannot describe or explain a true vision.
Gerry and I had an interesting debriefing on the way home. He pointed out that the example that the speaker gave from her own experience was more about revelation than vision. I agree with him.
But I do agree with the preacher's statement that human beings cannot create a mountaintop experience, make it happen, fabricate it, or otherwise schedule or plan it. In my experience in ministry, I have seen that happen with certain groups, who work very hard at creating a 'mystical experience', or a profound religious experience. The problem I have with that is the methods used: sleep deprivation, isolation from the real world, secrets, taking away all timepieces, covering the windows so you don't know if it is night or day. I can appreciate the desire to have a 'spiritual experience', a moment of vision, a mystical moment. I just do not happen to believe that it can be manufactured by humans, no matter how hard we might try.
On the other hand, I believe that revelation is something we can desire, work on, and receive on a regular basis. Revelation is about God showing Godself. I believe that God desires to reveal God's word to us, God's wishes, God's plans. When we make ourselves open to it, through studying scripture and working with others within community, revelation can be a part of our lives of faith.
I believe that revelation is intended to be on-going. Revelation 21 says as much: Behold, I am making all things new.
Even us.
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