“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10a (NIV)
Are you suffocating in the confinements of stagnation? If so, you’re not alone. Several months ago, one of my co-workers had the awesome opportunity of retiring. She had worked many years and was excited about her new season in life. She was especially ecstatic about traveling the world and spending quality time with her precious grandchildren.
As time drew nearer to her retirement, I’m confident to say that she counted down like a kitchen timer the months, days, hours, and minutes. During her final week of work, I noticed her packing her belongings and tidying up her desk. As she packed, I also noticed as I had in the past, a beautiful plant that flowed from the corner of her desk like the Niagara Falls.
For years I truly admired this plant, so I asked her if she was taking it with her. To my favor and surprise she said, “No you can have it.” I was so excited and grateful that she would give me her plant, and even more grateful to have a keepsake from my fellow co-worker and friend.
A couple of days later, I relocated the plant to my desk in a totally different environment. And not before long, I noticed the plant wasn’t as vibrant as it was in its previous climate. Immediately, I felt guilty for taking possession of the plant and possibly not having what it takes to keep it alive.
Then one day, the office plant connoisseur as I call her, passed by and said, “The pot is too small.” She explained to me that the plant had grown to capacity in the pot it was in, and the plant’s roots didn’t have any more room to grow. So she kindly replanted the plant in a bigger pot and what do you know? The plant began to flourish again.
The plant taught me a valuable life lesson. It taught me that environment matters and various things can either promote or hinder growth.
So right now let’s take a quick inventory. Is there a job, relationship, mindset, or past experience that’s hindering your growth? Like the plant, are you dying at your lowest capacity dwelling in circumstances that don’t accommodate your highest capability? If so, perhaps it’s time to expand your territory and take root in some new ground.
Lord thank you that it is your will and desire that I not be complacent, but to grow and expand and reach my full potential in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What do you think?