Memo 1072: More Big
David enjoyed unprecedented success after he assumed the throne of the united tribes:
And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went (2 Samuel 8:13-14).
However, his victories and expansion required David to pay some attention how he was going to organize his world and we read that he took steps to do so through this team:
David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests (2 Samuel 8:15-18).
Why is this important to know as you search for purpose and express your creativity? I'm glad you asked. For the answer, you'll have to read on.
THE MORE BIG
God has put the drive for 'more' in all of creation. We see it described in the life and reign of David. David set out to expand his kingdom and God honored his efforts with success and fame. We read in Proverbs 14:28, "A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined." All species look to increase and multiply, and the same drive is in humans, not just to reproduce but to expand and grow their skills, enterprises, influence, and responsibilities. Jesus talked about what I call 'more big' in His directives to go and bear fruit.
God isn't intimidated by more big. It's as easy for Him to lead, administer, and provide for a million as it is a hundred. If God isn't overwhelmed by size, then we shouldn't be either. Yet at times it's possible to resist more big and even to consider it vain and unspiritual, to be avoided at all costs. You don't want to be working toward small when God has more big in mind, for then you would be resisting God's plan for your family, ministry, or business.
The key isn't to avoid more big but to do it for the right reason, which would be to obey and glorify the God who put the desire for more big in every person, including you. Yet with this more big comes responsibility to organize and maintain the more big God has given you.
ORGANIZATION
David was enjoying success but at some point he had to stop and ask, "How am I going to organize the kingdom?" It's interesting that the Spirit inserted just a few verses in the midst of all David's conquests to record both what David did to address and also who he involved in his kingdom organizational structure. Just like David, you will have to give some thought and seek God's wisdom for how to organize your world as you seek after the more big that is perfectly natural according to God's design.
How do you feel toward more big? Do you work to keep your world small or are you actively seeking to increase the scope of your purpose and creativity? Have you accepted that God may want to help you oversee not just yourself but a team of people? Are you willing to grow so that you responsibilities can grow?
You can only enjoy more big if you are full convinced it's part of God's plan for your life. I encourage you to settle this matter once and for all and then go about pursuing the success and maybe even fame God has for you as you sit on your throne of life as David did on his. Have a blessed more big week!