You were not made to be in a pen…or a bowl.
Did you know that the ordinary goldfish, that little fish that the cat is constantly pawing it, has the potential to grow to up 45cm in length? That’s almost half a meter in size! Crazy! Would love to see the cat take on the fish then!
What determines or limits the goldfish then to remain small? Its environment. The size of the bowl affects the quality of the water and the fish’s ability to fully flourish and grow.
Similarly, the orca (killer whale) has only been known to attack human beings when held in captivity. They are huge animals and extremely intelligent. I’ve had the opportunity to be with them in the water twice now whilst surfing and both times I can say, hand on heart, that it was not so much scary but actually awesome and I really mean awesome in terms of the word ‘awe’. They travel all across the world covering thousands of miles and have never been known to attack humans whilst in the wild. In captivity however, there are a number of accounts where humans have been attacked by these incredible creatures. Why is that? I would like to suggest that the super small enclosures where they are kept negatively affect their wellbeing . . . with disastrous results.
We, like both of these examples, are not designed to be kept in a pen.
We are designed and called to GREATNESS.
There are a number of pens that surround and enclose many in our town and nation. Apathy. Generational curses. Loss of hope. Lack of vision. Despair. Pain. Hurt. Unforgiveness. Poverty. Lack. Illness. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In Genesis 1, the Lord commands and blesses Adam to, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Take dominion, expand, grow, change.
In Genesis 9, God gives the same command and blessing to Noah: “Be fruitful and multiply.”
In Genesis 17, God gives the same command and blessing to Abraham - are you getting the picture! Expansion. Multiplication. Growth. We are called to this!
As a fellow human being, I understand and fully get what the Lord was saying to both Adam and Noah - they were men at the start of history and civilisation on both occasions. I must admit however, to struggling with all the the Lord promised to Abraham . . . and where I fitted (is fitted even a word!) . . . until I read Galatians 3:7-14.
It’s pretty clear - if you believe in faith, then you are an heir to the promises given to Abraham. Faith in Jesus = heirs of the promise. That’s massive. That’s incredible. That’s our inheritance. His blood flows through our veins.
Please read Genesis 13:14-18. It’s a powerful piece of scripture instructing us in terms of spiritual and physical inheritance - on Earth as in Heaven. As you read my ACTION PONTS below, I am sure that you will make connects with the action points and Genesis 13 . . . ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding as you continue to read.
ACTION POINTS
I encourage you to do the following and to do it today:
Dare to dream again
Lift up your eyes
Make a list
Make a list of things you would like to see in your life, family, health, finances, work-life, future, etc.
All that you see northward, southward, eastward, westward
Write down the list
Make it specific and keep it in front of you
Habakkuk 2:2-3
Present your request
Daily present your requests to the Lord with thanksgiving
Philippians 4
And watch your territory expand . . .
Look - either God is for you or He is not. I know that the former is true because, despite my unfaithfulness, He has proven Himself time and time again to be faithful to His Word.
We had testimonies today at church about the Lord providing and expanding the territories of various people. Amazing, real, true testimonies. I shared a number myself. I know my God and He has come through each and every time. We are no longer where we were before; we are in new territory and it is GOOD. This does not have to be limited to us; join us as we journey together into green pastures for His name’s sake. Trust Him. He is the Good Shepherd.