"Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the Lord has blessed us until now?”
So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”
But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel.”
And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.” (Joshua 17:14-18)
When I spoke this past February at a women's conference in North Carolina, this was one of the texts I used. In it, we find the story of a tribe whose time to GROW had come.
So they approached their leader Joshua (who is a type of Christ, in Scripture) and basically asked for more territory.
You have to remember...or you must realize...that God is the original "territorial Spirit". HE puts the solitary in families, HE ordained tribes and households and boundaries. Today, HE ordains families, local churches, and we are still called to both expand the territory we are given, and guard its boundaries.
Joshua's answer? Grow up.
Literally...grow upwards. "Go up to the forest country. Sure, there are boulders and trees and giants with serious weapons, but if you want to expand - get to work."
And so it is for you, beautiful one, if you will allow me a brief coaching moment with you. I need to ask you to ask yourself what it is you are afraid of. Identify your giants. Be as concise as you can. Let's start with three. What three things, in terms of your growing up, are you most afraid of?
There comes a point when you are increasing in your gift, that you will be called both to "GROW UP" and to "go up higher". You will have to engage your next enemy. New territory will not be gained as easily as before (when it was simply given) but you can do this thing.
Can I tell you? Jehovah is on your side...and at the same time, no other human being - no spouse, counselor, life coach or friend - can do it for you. No one else can expand and grow your marriage...or your business...or your family.
"You are, in fact, a gifted woman. So go up..."
