Expansion

I was having a conversation with a friend today who is contemplating her next career move.

I know her to be one of those dynamo types, always raising her hand to help out, always optimistic, and always willing to go above and beyond to get the job done.

Even with her still shiny disposition, we talked about some recent work struggles that have her feeling a bit down in the dumps and forgetting her worth.

Been there, done that.

I live for these conversations.

When I see someone I care about struggling like this and feeling small, I get excited.

I want to grab them by the shoulders, stare straight into their eyes, and outpour powerful words of encouragement as I speak in an awkwardly close proximity to them so they don't miss a thing.

I can see the expansive beauty so clearly for others.

I can envision their bright future, their biggest dreams unfolding, and their massive potential awaiting them.

I want them to see themselves the way that I see them.

I am excited because I know what it's like to move beyond that funky feeling and bravely move into expansion territory - further than I ever thought or believed I could.

But I didn't go it alone.

I moved forward because I believed in who God said I was and trusted in where He was telling me to go.

And when I didn't believe or my trust wavered, my encouraging expander friends were there to help me.

Isn't that awesome?

Aren't we blessed to have others see the expansive opportunities ahead when we cannot?

When we feel funky, fearful, or disenchanted, we can barely have hope for tomorrow, let alone a bright and shiny future somewhere in the distance.

Expansion encouragers are the best.

They push us

They challenge us

They support us

They pick us up

They dust us off

They cheer us on

That's what God is doing for us as He beckons us forward.

It's time to expand our horizons and let God move in a way that will exceed our expectations.

It's time we receive the help of our encouraging expanders and dream big dreams together.

Left to our thoughts, we will be tempted to shrink down.

Listening to naysayers only pulls us back into fear.

Not today, friends.

I'm grabbing you by the shoulders and speaking super close to you (I did brush my teeth, don't worry).

You are a child of God, and the path ahead of you is so expansive that it can lead you to places you can't even dream of.

Don't you see it?

Don't you see how big and beautiful this world can be for you?

I can almost picture God ahead of us jumping and shouting, "Come on, let me show you!"

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart

And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

Hebrews 11:1

Now, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.