Bible Study & Devotional (Day 211)
By Detria Moore
Guiding Scripture: Isaiah 54:2-3, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
🔴 Be Planted Where You’re Called, Not Where You Are
Growing up, my father had a garden. I never took much interest in it. But as I got older, I suddenly wanted to start one. We have a small backyard, so I started container gardening on my deck. And boy, God has used this growing season to reveal so much to me!
Enlarge
One of the first lessons I learned was about spacing. I tended to overcrowd my seedlings in small containers. That hindered their growth and kept them from reaching their full, maximum potential. They would start to grow, but soon their growth was stunted. It did not produce the bountiful harvest I was anticipating. I needed to enlarge their container so the roots had room.
Guidance
A gardener I follow on YouTube said, “you never plant seedlings according to their current size; you have to establish them according to the dimension they’re going to be!”
That resonated in my spirit so deeply. How long have we been told, “Grow where you’re planted?!”
Well, what God showed me knocked this idea on its head. I get the sentiment. That no matter where God plants us, we should make the most of it and grow. And sure, growing in your current space may work for a season, but the truth is things grow best in the proper soil, environment, and container size.
How can you develop if you’re not in an environment that will allow you to reach maximum productivity?
The little four-inch seedling I planted in this small pot was destined to grow into a two-foot-tall stalk. I needed a bigger pot! But by the time I realized and tried transplanting it, the plant had become rootbound. The roots had taken up all the space within that small pot and circulation was poor. It couldn’t properly take in water and nutrients causing a slow death.
Stretch Out
I discovered I could root prune the plant and keep it in the same small pot, or if I wanted it to grow larger, I could try to transplant it into a bigger pot. Knowing that it would cause shock to the plant system but prayerful that it would once again flourish and thrive, I chose the latter.
Friends, where is God calling you? Where is your destination?
It’s crucial that you don’t look at your current surroundings but consider your final destination. How big is the dream and calling God has given you? You can’t prepare for that calling by looking at the size of your current reality. Your roots need room to grow. And if they don’t, you’ll become rootbound and start taking on the shape of where you currently are, and you’ll never grow into the fruit producer God wants you to be.
Don’t Hold Back!
Begin by planting yourself in an environment that matches your dream and calling, not your current reality. If you don’t, you’re likely to take on the shape of your current surroundings and starve yourself of the things needed to grow properly. Improve circulation, increase your nourishment and have faith. God needs you to listen so that your environment will increase your productivity. Get ready for others to enjoy the fruit of your obedience and give God all the glory.
Detria Moore, J.D. is a believer, wife, mother, college professor, intercessor, community servant, writer, speaker, and volunteer of all things. Above all else, she is enamored with her Savior. Her main goal is to serve the Lord, walk in a manner worthy of her calling, and bring glory to her Savior. Detria enjoys reading and teaching the Bible, praying for others, and walking the Lynchburg trails.
This devotional was submitted by Detria Moore, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
