Time for a Stretch…

Recently, the Lord has been reminding me of the verses from Isaiah 54. I first posted on these verses back in 2021. Since then I have experienced this stretching and expansion in many areas of my life and my church. Thank you Lord. I hope this re-posting encourages you today.

“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. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited”. Isaiah 54:2-3

I want to share this word of encouragement that was brought at our prayer meeting a few weeks ago, as I was reminded of it today by the Lord. It may also be a timely encouragement for someone reading.

Many of us, if not all of us around the world, have been through a season of confinement and restriction. If you picture a baby in the womb the limbs are all restricted but when the baby is born it is released from its confinement and can fully stretch into its new environment.

There are people reading this who have found themselves in this position, but now I believe we are coming into a season of birthing of new opportunities and it’s time to stretch out in the Lord. We are to be expectant. There is fresh vision that the Lord is releasing and doors being opened which will require us to step out of our comfort zones. To stretch ourselves.

The problem is that we can get too used to being in that place of confinement. There is some security and comfort in being there. We become settled but it’s time for a bit of unsettling for growth. Time for a stretch.

My friend was reminded of her time as a PE teacher. The children used to crouch down and make themselves as small as possible and then they slowly started to uncurl, stand up and then stretch themselves as tall as they could possibly be, reaching as tall as possible. Try it. It feels great.

Do not despise the day of small beginnings says the Lord because there is going to be expansion and fruitfulness in the Kingdom. God can do abundantly more than we can think or imagine so let us not restrict the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. Let’s stretch out as God leads us. We walk by faith and not by sight.

The first thing a baby does when air gets in the lungs is cry. The baby finds their voice for the first time. For some this time of stretching will mean you find your voice for the first time. You are being released to speak God’s truths and your voice will be heard. You will make yourselves heard and find your voice. God will bring opportunity to speak for Him in places and to people that you would have not thought possible.

Have a blessed day my friends.