Looking Ahead

This message challenges us to break free from the paralysis of our past and step into the expansive future God has prepared. Drawing from Isaiah 54, we're reminded that even in seasons of barrenness and disappointment, God calls us to enlarge our tents and stretch our boundaries. The powerful image of the widow's oil in 2 Kings 4 illustrates a profound truth: what we have in our hands becomes limitless when we pour it out in obedience. She kept pouring until there were no more vessels, teaching us that our capacity for blessing is often limited only by our willingness to prepare for it. The vision presented here revolves around three interconnected actions: connect, serve, and grow. This isn't just organizational strategy but a biblical pattern rooted in Acts 2, where the early church thrived through daily connection in homes, sacrificial service modeled after Christ, and organic growth that resulted from authentic community. We're challenged to reject the lie of disqualification, to stop letting the enemy remind us of our failures, and instead to remember that Jesus always calls us by a new name and invites us to breakfast, not condemnation. The Pareto Principle warns us against falling into the trap where twenty percent do eighty percent of the work. Instead, we're called to discover our unique gifts and callings, understanding that when each part does its special work, the whole body grows healthy and full of love. This is our moment to open ourselves wide, to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes, trusting that even in our weakness, His strength is made perfect.