It Comes With The Territory
We often pray for a place and space without knowing what comes with it. Who desires to go somewhere they have never been without first preparing for the journey. We are not sure how much it will cost us, how much we have to endure, and how much growth is required.
In observation, I noticed that many of us are going through processes due to where we are and what has been promised by God. We are not aware that the situations and circumstances that we are in are strategically designed to teach us for the next place.
The new territories, the places we are strategically placed in by God means that we are assigned in areas that are under some kind of authority. There is usually another system at play. By definition territory means:
: a geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority
: an assigned area
Come with the territory means:
to be a natural or unavoidable aspect or accompaniment of a particular situation, position, or field.
So when we ask God to grant us new territories, we have no idea what will come with it and what authority, rule, or system is already in place.
I am reminded of the the prayer that Jabez prayed. Nothing much is known about Jabez in the Bible except that there are implications that he is connected to the blood line of the Kings of Judah.
That prayer that Jabez prayed should be the prayer that we all pray when asking God for increase of our reach. Moving from what is comfortable to a new place comes with things, people, and situations that we may have never encountered before. It is sure to come with some major adjustments. Not necessarily the surroundings, but adjustments in us.
In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 where Jabez prayer is stated says:
There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
I hear it all the time and I have even been praying this prayer for a couple of years now. The emphasis that I would like to place on this particular prayer is not just the request for expansion, but the request for God to be with me in all that I do and keep me from ALL trouble and pain. How many of you know that there will be some places that God will put you in and it will feel that He is far away. There are some places where He places you and it feels as if all people want to do is hurt you and push your buttons.
This prayer is that much more important because some of us are standing in the territory that we prayed to God for and we are in pain and got tangled into some trouble.
We started hanging with crowds that gossip, we realize that the titles we are in puts us in glass bowls where everyone is watching and can throw stones at any moment. We realize that the territory we are granted requires us to be transparent in order to help others.
These are things that come with the territory. This does not mean that you adopt the systems, traditions, and ways of the territory, but we have to remember that we cannot survive without God in these new territories.
Sometimes I believe we ask God for new territories and expansions haphazardly. We are unaware what already inhabits the lands and unaware of the person we have to be in order to take authority over it. We are unaware and unfamiliar of the assignment and what we will have to endure.
So then why are we asking for these expansions of territories? Are we truly knowing what we are asking God for? Do we want it because it sounds and looks good?
I am sorry, I am a home body and nothing is more comfortable than my home lol. Anything more to me seems like a heavy weight. It requires more responsibility. With that being said, are you aware that what comes with the territory is more responsibility? Who begs for more responsibilities?! Not I!
I will tell you all that I pray for territory because I want others to know Jesus. Yeah, yeah it may seem cliché' and very typical for a Christian to say like its a script. But seriously, God has done so much in my life and transformed me so much, the least I can do is tell others, which means my reach has to broaden. I want the world to know His name and experience healing, deliverance, and supernatural love that only He provides.
Is this the reason you ask for territory? If not, it definitely should be the reason why you should because when it is granted to you, you wont forget your why while you go through what comes with the territory.
I hope this blog served as an evaluation tool for your next request of expansion. Remember no matter where He takes you, make sure you always reach out to make sure that God is with you in everything you do and everywhere you go.
God Bless!