What I'd like to share today is a message for all who feel as if they're settling in life. At some point, you might've believed that God would work miracles in your life. You had faith, hope, and plans, even dreams of greatness. Maybe you uttered a prayer like Jabez did, asking God to enlarge your territory and bring blessings. Then life went on, and not much seemed to happen, and you started to settle. If this resonates with you, know that you're not alone. Before we delve deeper, let us pray.

Lowered Expectations

For those of you feeling as if you've lowered your expectations of what God might do, whether it's dreams to start a business, become the best parent, or simply to make it through the month, this message is for you. At times, we settle for less and ask God for merely the consolation prize. Maybe you once aspired to be an entrepreneur or the perfect caregiver, but found yourself praying for basic survival. The reality is, you have no idea what God may produce through a single seed planted in faith.

An Old Testament Lesson

Let's talk about a couple from the Old Testament—Abraham and Sarah. Like many couples, they dreamed of having children, but faced heartache when they couldn't conceive. Imagine their painful journey as they waited, watching others celebrate the miracle of life. At one point in Genesis, God promised them they would become the parents of nations. Despite the promise, at least a decade passed with no child. Abraham's doubts surfaced, and he settled, lowering his expectations. Just give me one son, he thought. And yet, God had a vision of multiplication far beyond what Abraham could imagine.

From My Own Experience

Reflecting on my own journey, I recall being the only brown girl in my school when I received a little red Bible from the Gideons. I didn't read it right away, not understanding its value until years later. As I read it, little did I know a seed was being planted within me. I was once asked to teach Sunday school, unprepared, yet just a few steps ahead of the children I taught. Decades later, I received a message from one of those kids, now a missionary in India, spreading faith. You see, the seed planted unknowingly had grown into a flourishing tree.

More Than Enough

Starting today, I want us to ponder this: when it comes to faith and God’s blessings, where we often see addition, God sees multiplication. We might plant a single seed and witness God’s incredible, exponential return. Just as a seed must take root before bearing fruit, so must our faith endure before flourishing. Despite the unseen, God works tirelessly to nurture our seeds of faith.

Conclusion: Exceedingly Abundantly More

As we walk forward, understand that God's promises are unwavering and abundant. They arrive when the time is right, bringing growth, salvation, and abundant grace. If you've begun to lower your expectations, I encourage you to rekindle the belief that God, in all His power, can yield immeasurable results through a single, sincere act of faith. Every life—your life—is a seed capable of unfathomable impact. We have no idea how our devotion and belief can touch countless lives and uplift countless spirits. Amen.

Let's keep planting those seeds in faith, and watch what miracles unfold.