Diversify

“Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep." Isaiah 54:2 (MSG)

Have you ever felt so certain of what you were supposed to be doing, of what you were called to do, that you kind of just “rolled” along in life, following that ONE THING, only to discover that there are also other things the Lord has planted inside of you that you need to explore? That happened to me.

I was praying one day at the beginning of last year, and it wasn’t a prayer time where I had set aside time to pull away and pray. I was actually driving in the car just talking with the Lord, speaking some things I was desiring for this year, and just sharing my heart with Him. As I talked to Him about the desires in my heart, I heard a word rise up in my spirit. Just one simple word. “Diversify”. I spoke it out loud. “Diversify.” Okay, Lord. Diversify. I kind of have an idea of what that means with regards to investments. Like, don’t put your eggs all in one basket, spread them around. I then sensed strongly that the Lord was directing me, “I want you to diversify. Don’t be afraid to do things differently, or do different things.”

Later that day I took some time to look up that word, so I would have a deeper understanding of its meaning, apart from investments! Here is what I found:

Diversify - branch out, expand, extend, vary, bring variety to, modify, alter, change, transform, expand, enlarge. WOW. When I read the definition, I got really excited. The Lord brought to my remembrance something He had given me in a prayer time a couple of years ago that I had written in my prayer journal. “You will do things differently.”

Now, if you know me, you know I lead worship and that has been my passion and my purpose for as long as I can remember. So because I’ve been confident of that calling since I was about 12, I have pursued it and have never stopped. And when we’re so sure of something, it can be so easy for us to have a picture in our mind of what we think God’s plan for our lives should look like. But what if we’re cutting ourselves short? I think of Proverbs 19:21 that states “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

It can be so easy to settle in to what we think is the “perfect” job, or the perfect family scenario or whatever the case may be. Or we can pigeon-hole ourselves into thinking that “this” lane is the only lane available to us, “I am only a mom”, “I am only a pastor”, “I am only a worship leader”, “I am only an office manager working 8-5”. We sometimes lean into the major and obvious gifts and talents we have and then stop there. But what if there is more? What if God is saying “What about all these other gifts I have given you? I want you to utilize those as well.”

I just want to encourage you today to take inventory. Ask the Lord to help you look into other areas that you may have been ignoring, thinking it’s not for you, or you may just feel like it’s a silly dream. I believe He puts desires in our hearts for a purpose, so don’t neglect them. Where is He calling you to enlarge and make room for more? Is there something that you’ve been carrying in your heart for awhile but you’re not really sure how or if you should step out into it? Take note of those things. Pay attention to the promptings that keep stirring inside of you. It’s time to branch out friends, and make room for more!