Strech Out
Pushing beyond what you thought was possible
Isaiah 54 gets quoted a lot because its talking about expanding our capacity and influence to bring God glory. However, we don’t often talk about the stretching that occurs during and even after the process. Physical stretching has become more and more important as I have aged let me tell you! In high school and even college, I just did it halfheartedly because we had to. Now, I fully appreciate and understand the importance! However, the spiritual stretching took me longer to understand and appreciate.
The only reason for a tent or a territory to be expanded would be because wealth allowed it and or increase demanded it. When our oldest was born, we lived in a single room for about a year. All together things were a bit cozy that is for sure!! We were able to purchase our first home and then the real stretching happened!
What we thought things would cost… Things were more. On our own was lonelier than we expected. A million new responsibilities seemed to be stretching us into new people. I would love to say that we always handled the stress of stretching with peace and harmony. However, the truth is that this time actually brought us into a place where we were desperate for the more of God. Things on the surface looked wonderful, but on the inside was a desperation for true purpose and connection.
God answered. Did the stretching stop? No… No, it did not. It actually increased. We are called to be holy and set apart. That requires stretching, but it is so so worth it my friend!
Every time things don’t go exactly how we think it should be: This is a stretching moment where we can lean into Jesus and become more like Him. Take a look at what is happening in your life right now. Do you see areas that God is stretching you and calling you up higher? When we lean into the stretching process, we are able to go beyond what we ever thought was possible!
Isaiah 54:2 New King James Version 2
“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.