Multiply Your Life

God is in the business of multiplication.

We’ve probably all heard this, but what does it mean? We often turn to the stories where Jesus fed thousands of people with a very small offering of loaves and fish. Remember the little boy he gave his lunch of five small loaves of bread and two fish? Jesus took this small offering and multiplied it, feeding well over 5000 people and giving leftovers to each of the disciples! He took a small offering and multiplied it.

And that’s what we mean when we talk about God being in the business of multiplication. He takes our small sacrifices and turns them into something greater than we could ever ask, hope, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He doesn’t add to what we have; He multiplies it into something far greater!

I was recently challenged to read a book titled 10X is Easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan. It is not a strictly Christian book, and many might argue it is counter to the Christian life. I disagree, but we are each entitled to our own opinions (as long as we measure it against scripture). This book is revolutionizing my thinking! It is challenging me to take my neat little, risk-adverse box I’ve created for my life and step out into this great big world God has created. I never want to do it without Him as my guide, but I am learning how my own nature has prevented me from experiencing all God has for me!

Although I’m only halfway through the book, I want to challenge you with a few concepts. I hope they impact you the way they are changing me.

Dare to dream! When I was younger, I had dreams. Some would call them goals, but whatever you call the, I was constantly challenging myself to the next level. I challenged myself to be the only valedictorian in my graduating class. I aimed for a specific score on my college entrance exam. I dreamed of earning a full scholarship to my college of choice. I set my sights on graduating from college Summa Cum Laude.

Guess what? I achieved each of those goals.

But when I reached adulthood, I suddenly quit dreaming. I fell into the status quo of marrying, having kids, finding a good job, and living my life until retirement. I have done each of those things, but I’ve lost the excitement of pushing myself to the next goal, of setting my sights on something meaningful and working toward it.

10X is Easier Than 2X is encouraging me to dream again! I am reimaging what life can look like for me! I’m thinking bigger as I ponder the creativity of a God who made this beautiful world out of nothing. My mind is racing with the possibilities this life holds for me, no longer simply longing for retirement when I can finally start living.

We are made in God’s image, and God is a God of creativity. I believe we are called to love Him with all of our minds, which includes our ability to think creatively. I am listing out my dreams, and seeking His face as I begin to dream again.

Sacrifice short-term security for long-term goals. By nature, I long for security. By nature, I am highly risk-averse. By the very nature God put in me, I have an incredible need to see the path forward before I am willing to step out and work toward a vision.

But God tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. He wants us to live our lives in such a way that we seek His face, let Him reveal His path one step at a time. If I can clearly see the path forward, it doesn’t require much faith!

I have absolutely taken steps of faith in my past. Of course, stepping out of my first marriage was an exercise of faith. I knew God was calling me out of my comfort zone to the realm of the unknown, and I knew Jesus was holding out His hands to catch me. Knowing my Jesus was calling me gave the courage to take that step of faith. It was an extremely difficult and arduous journey, but I can now look back and smile at how God changed me in the process—and the many, many ways He tenderly cared for me.

The journey of stepping out of my short-term security multiplied so much of my life! I saw God multiply my finances, multiply my faith, multiply my impact. He created so much beauty out of the broken pieces of my life!

I find myself at a crossroads again, feeling God call me out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown. I know when He calls, He enables and He empowers. I know it is a journey to something so much greater.

I simply need to be willing to sacrifice my short-term security and take a leap of faith!

Determine your unique gifts and callings. One of the things I love about this book is the emphasis on determining who you are, what you were created to do. We are each God’s masterpieces, created to do good works He planned before time began (Ephesians 2:10). My calling is unique, different from yours. My gifts are unique, different from yours. I was created for a different purpose than you.

God created me to write. To speak. To help people understand their lives better. To encourage them to move forward in their callings. To become a fully devoted follower of Christ. God has used my story, my ability to be transparent and vulnerable to give hope to others walking through difficult journeys of their own. God created me to be a Barnabas!

This journey looks different at various stages of life, but the core is always there. I have a passion for helping others transform their lives into the image of God. My purpose plays out through writing and speaking. Nothing gives me more energy than to have an incredible conversation with someone who hears words of life spoken over them!

If I could craft a perfect life, I would work with single moms helping them walk through the pain of adultery, abuse, and divorce. I would help them navigate the tumultuous waters of being a single mom, the struggle of carrying the entire burden. I would help them through the difficult financial decisions. I would buy homes where single moms could live rent-free while they get on their feet again and have a safe place to heal.

That is what I see as my purpose, breathing life into people. I have a special passion for single moms, but my greater purpose is to breathe life into people.

The question I must ask is: What do I need to sacrifice to live in the purpose for which I was created?

Take time to rest and reset. Even as I write this blog, I am resting for the first time in a long time. I feel like so often I am running on empty, pouring out every ounce of my being for those around me. God has been calling me to rest and reset.

And that is what I am doing in this very moment. I have taken two full weeks off work to enjoy a vacation with my husband, to hear about my daughter’s trip to Southeast Asia. I am currently sitting on a ship off the coast of Alaska, basking in the creative beauty of God’s creation. I finally feel the creativity flowing again as my cup is filled with rest and play.

If you are not taking time for rest, you are missing God’s best. We sometimes get so caught up in the frenetic pace of life that we forget God commanded us to rest. Do not neglect this important part of life. It’s where we find connection with God and others.