BUILT FOR EXPANSION

This month as we focus on women expanding in ministry, I would like to share with you how women in the bible knew their life was one of expansion and would not allow anyone or anything to stop them. They knew in their hearts that they were born to do something great.
Why do I say that a woman is built for expansion? Just look at the pregnancy and birthing process, a sperm swims against millions to get to one egg and when they collide a baby begins to form and expansion begins. All this is going on inside of a woman (hopefully she is married) and in a few months time she’ll begin showing signs of expansion.
There is nothing flattering about being pregnant and giving birth, it’s hard work yet very rewarding. There is morning sickness, weight gain, swollen feet, big nose, pimples/rashes, crazy cravens, stretch marks, weak bladder and waddling to consider. Yet women go through this process over and over again, I should know I’ve done it four times. The bible says that after a woman gives birth she forgets the pain at the sight of her baby (John 16:21).   
     There is no way to get around this kind of expansion and not change. In fact your whole life as you know it changes dramatically.  From what you wear to what you eat and how you sleep. As the baby grows on the inside, so do you on the outside.  It does not matter who you are, you will expand on every side. Notice that this expansion is pointing forward, you get the feeling that someone is pulling you forward and there is nothing you can do but go. There is no turning back now you are in the process of becoming a mother and it’s not easy. You’ll have to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate this expansion. 
     Women in the bible expected expansion when they got married, and if that didn’t happen they would be miserable. Isaac pleaded with God for his wife Rebekah because she was barren, and probably gave him grief (Genesis 25:21). Rebekah gave birth to two nations (Genesis 25:23). Tamar tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her, by pretending to be a prostitute just for the honor of giving birth (Genesis 38). We see King David coming through her son Perez, and she being named in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).  Hannah pleaded with God for a son because she was barren and promised him back to God. She was saying to God just let me give birth, let me have the privilege of pushing something out of me (1 Samuel 1:11). Her son Samuel was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. What would have happened if these women settled with the barriers they faced. These women decided that future generations were well worth the process.
      On a spiritual note, what has God placed within you that you need to give birth to in this season?  Spiritual expansion is just has heard as the physical. It is not going to be easy, but you can do it. You were born with the ability to do it.  You will be stretched beyond what you think, it's uncomfortable doing something new the first time but you are not alone the Holy Spirit is here to help you through the labor, just listen to Him. Lady Akuazaoku encouraged us to rise up because it’s our time to move into purpose without excuses. God spoke that very statement to me last week and Sunday it was conformed by her. When things get tough we tend to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves and having pity parties. This is the time to move with confidence because God says it’s your time and the next generation is at stake if we don't. When Rebekah’s pregnancy got hard and she wanted to give up she realized her only hope was in God, so she went to Him and He told her she was caring two nations in her womb and it wasn’t time to quit, it was time to go through the process for the nations that were coming.
My encouragement to you women of purpose is, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1) You've got what it takes, you are well able to do it. Be blessed.