Expansion
We are in a time in history where we have the opportunity to be a person of great influence. People are wanting to hear and experience faith, hope and love. As people of faith we have a great message to share with those around Peter reminds us, it is time to love our neighbours and be connectors as never before of who we are what we are called to “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9. It is the time to Be the Church and distribute the message of hope that people are desperate for. We will need to be organic in the how we do that.
We are all called to lead in life. lead ourselves, families, friends, community groups and so on. Where ever you are connected to people that is our sphere of influence. In this time of worldwide struggle, we all need strong leadership and we can look to ourselves with Christ in us for this. There is no one stronger than Jesus Himself. For some the structures that held you or you relied on are no longer there. But you yourself can rise up as Jesus did in the desert (Matthew 4) to pray, fast (when you feel led) and to live out the Bible in the real world, In many ways we been on an enforced fasting from people and going back to lots of meet ups is something I find overwhelming at the best of time. These three things prayer, fasting and scripture (God’s word) hold and change us in the times of struggle. Be the leader you would want to follow and watch others be drawn to that Jesus shaped expression that you carry.
Our default setting will want to fight against us being the leader of ourselves as by nature we are lazy and we will want to feed off of others. If we can press through this time a new strength will be seen when are eventually emerge into our new expansion where ever in the world we live. We will be different and more prepared for the next era through this season of great challenge. But for now, we can feed ourselves through our devotional lives enabling us to influence others. It is from our own overflow that we live out the goodness of God. This is not for the chosen few but for all of us who are called out of the darkness that Peter speaks about ( 1 Peter 2:9). That way we have a first-hand message on the inside of us. As we enlarge our God territory on the inside we will notice God will enlarge our sphere of influence on the outside bringing people for you and I to be connected with.
I am going to leave you with the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. Be encouraged we can grow through this time and God will greatly use our lives to connect and reach others with His love and message of Hope.