Jesus did not distribute
his message just in his hometown. In fact, he left home rather quickly,
recognizing that all too often a prophet is without honour in his own country. He
took his message and hit the road, going wherever there was fertile ground. He looked
at the whole territory and saw it as a field ripe for harvest. He quickly began
calling disciples to join him with his missions.
The importance of branching out or expanding your
influence and territories is depicted in many beautiful stories and images in
the Scriptures. Isaiah encouraged his
people to “Widen the space of your tent,
stretch out your hangings freely, lengthen your ropes, make your tent pegs
firm, for you will burst out to the right and to the left” (Isaiah 54:2).
God told Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and
increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). To
Abraham, God said: “I am God Almighty; be
fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 35:11). The entire Book of Joshua
is about the tribes of Israel branching out into the Promised Land.
God does not seem to want leaders
to “settle” for a little piece of land, spiritual or otherwise. The Lord
constantly urges us to lift up our eyes and see all the possibilities on the
horizon and to shake off the dust and ashes from our minds and feet and get going.
The word ‘branch’ or ‘branches’ is mentioned more than 70 times in the Bible.
Jesus himself was called the “Branch of
the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:5).
Leaders must constantly
look for ways to expand their vision, their influence, and their contribution. There
are always more possibilities than our eyes can see. Ask the Holy Spirit to
reveal God’s calling and empower you to do so.
Jesus branched out.
What are your current mental boundaries?
What are your plans for expanding your influence,
territories and contribution for God’s glory?
THINK BIG.
START SMALL. GO DEEP.
No comments:
Post a Comment