"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtain of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your sake. 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, NKJV

Have you ever noticed that people who accomplish a lot in life prepare for it? We just spent a couple of days of strategic planning with our executive team here at our church. Our focus wasn’t on how to better manage what the Lord has given us, but on how to manage what’s ahead. We were preparing for what’s coming, not what’s already here. That’s a huge paradigm shift for a lot of people. It seems like a lot of people spend all their time looking around at what they have and then use all their energy rearranging the furniture rather than making plans to knock out a wall and make room for more.

That’s why I love the verse above from Isaiah so much. It speaks of the importance of enlarging the place of your tent, stretching out your curtains, lengthening your cords, and strengthening your stakes—all in preparation for an increase that hasn’t come yet. That’s what faith does. Faith prepares. Faith sees things before they get here. Faith sees a future with more, not less.

What do you see in your future? Do you see more, or just more of the same? Maybe it’s time to start thinking different? Maybe it’s time to start seeing things differently through the eyes of faith. Proverbs says,“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV) So in other words, our thoughts can either keep us small, or they will allow us to dream big. It’s time to start thinking bigger, to start seeing more in your life—starting today.

What do you need more of? More friends, more time with your family, more influence in your community, more opportunities at work, more customers/clients, or even more money in the bank? Whatever it is for you then start planning for it. Start stretching your thoughts, your dreams and desires and begin to prepare for their arrival. What would you have to adjust to accommodate more in your life? It’s time to think different, and to get ready for more. Can you see it?

Say It: "Father, I’m preparing for more. More of You. More of the things that I desire in my heart. I’m willing to enlarge the place of my tent, to stretch out my curtains, to lengthen my cords and strengthen my stakes. I trust You to expand my territory to the right and the left. I’m prepared for more. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!"