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Isaiah 1:1 "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."

 

This opening line introduces the lengthy, varied, and beautiful Book of Isaiah as his "vision." I find that word interesting, because much of Isaiah is more what I think of as prophecy. It is not like, for example, Daniel, Ezekiel, or John's visions, Isaiah is not describing things he saw in a mystical state, he is more acting like God's mouthpiece.

 

I have had a few experiences of actual visions, and there was no doubt what they were, but I sometimes wonder what to call things that feel like messages or insights that I could not have come up with on my own. I wouldn't have thought to call them "visions". However, I suppose it doesn't really matter what we call our mystical experiences, as long as we do with them what God wants us to do.

 

God gives us these kind of experiences for a reason. In Isaiah's case, he was to relay them, to speak words to the people of Judah that they did not necessarily want to hear. When getting our own visions, or insights, or messages, I think the first thing we should do is ask the question "Where is this coming from: God, the devil, or me?" This is something I struggled with a lot in the past, and sometimes still do, but practicing discernment has made it easier to distinguish. If we conclude the "vision" is from God, then ask why He is giving it to us. Often it is just for us. Maybe we are struggling with something or are in need of guidance or consolation and God sends us what we need in a revelatory way. It is not always necessary that we run out and tell everyone about our mystical experiences (think of all the times Jesus told people not to tell of His miracles), and is sometimes counterproductive if we do. If, however, our messages are like Isaiah's, if we are meant to be sharing them, then we should pray for the grace to be able to do it bravely and without hesitation, as Isaiah did. 

 

In the end, it does not make much difference what we call God's messages to us. The important thing is to use them in accordance with His Will.