Expanding Our Influence

Isaiah 54:2-3 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen they stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

This Scripture is a prophetic vision of the expansion of Israel into the neighboring cities of their enemies. No longer will the tabernacle be large enough to accommodate the Israelites, thus they are instructed to ‘enlarge the place of their worship, by stretching forth the tent curtains, lengthening the tent cords and strengthening the stakes as the tent is expanded. As the Israelite’s physical dominion increases, so too will their spiritual influence and the inhabitants who come to worship the LORD.

The Israelite’s, through their holy lifestyle are to know God and to make Him known. As they obey God’s commands and live a life solely dedicated to Him, their influence over the pagan nations around them, will increase.

1 Chronicles 4:10: And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, and that thine hand might be with me, and that though wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Jabez cried out in earnest to God to ‘enlarge my territory’ and bless him in that venture. Undoubtedly, the metaphor of enlarging the dwelling place and of spreading abroad to the right and the left, is a reference to the great growth and prosperity of the Christian faith. God is asking us to expand our influence. For God is always doing a new thing; He is always about growth. Our God has planned to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine by working not only in us, but in the unregenerate hearts around us.

He wants to take the abundant life that we have in Him and expand it to those around us. If our desire is that God be glorified through us, then, like Jabez, we will be asking that He expand our territory and we’ll be open to growth and provide for growth.

Underneath this text lies the question posed by God to each of us, “Will you grow? Will you work with me? Are you ready to provide for growth?” We cannot grow by burying our head in the sand and blatantly ignoring our Shepherd’s voice. God wants to expand our influence for His purpose, for His glory. And so, we need to be prepared to be stretched and quite likely this will make us uncomfortable.

Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Our LORD may show us a new way to expand our influence and reach out into uncharted territory for Him, but if we are not prepared to embrace this new way and allow for growth, the wine skin (bottle) will burst and be completely useless. Our spiritual influence needs to expand and adapt to the new way that the LORD leads us.

Each of us has a place of influence: our family, school, university, college, workplace, sporting club, church or neighborhood. And so, we ought to heed the words we read in Isaiah by expanding our influence in whatever context we find ourselves in, enlarging the place of our tent and not holding back.

God calls us to spread out our tent to the right and to the left. We already have an area of influence; how well are we being intentional about sharing Christ’s message and love in that place? And how might we be able to expand this area of influence?

Thankfully, this is not a matter of sitting down and writing another list of more ‘things to do.’ What is really required here is prayerful reflection with our Savior and Friend, Jesus. Seeking His wisdom and help is what is needful. Furthermore, what is really required of us is to show genuine concern for others and anticipate their needs before they do in the moment by moments of daily life. Taking an interest in others immediately begins to expand our area of influence. It’s that simple. We can all do that. May the God of all grace help us to enlarge our tent, expand our influence and share Christ’s practical and life-changing love in simple ways, one person at a time.