If reading those verses doesn’t raise your excitement level for what’s possible in your life, then it’s time to check your pulse! These words were written by Paul to the church in Corinth. The introduction notes in my Bible state that the people of Corinth were dealing with a group of men who presented themselves as apostles but were actually false teachers. They were challenging Paul’s integrity and authority as an apostle of Christ. Since Paul was the one who’d been teaching, encouraging and leading the people in their faith, this was a serious situation that needed to be addressed. The church had been quarreling and was left dealing with division and hurt. 

Division and hurt can definitely lead to a life of smallness, don’t you think? It did for the Corinthians, and it can for us, as well. When we allow ourselves to listen to the wrong voices, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the division and pain of the world. And if you’re stuck in division and pain, life is sure to stay small and fenced in. Limited and restricted. That’s not a fun way to walk through your life’s journey. 

When I read 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, I can feel Paul’s love for these people just oozing out. He wants God’s absolute best for them! He wants them to live openly and expansively! A wide-open, spacious life. I think God wants the exact same for you. He doesn’t want you to just get through every day feeling fenced in, stuck and small. Instead, He desires for you to thrive! Does that involve everything always going exactly your way? Nope. But abundant life in Jesus can be victorious even in the midst of challenges if we keep our eyes on Him. 

Like Habakkuk said:

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! -Habakkuk 3:17-19

When you’re living openly and expansively, you can run like the deer and feel like you’re king of the mountain. This is the wide-open, spacious life God wants you to enjoy every day, no matter what circumstances you’re facing. When you keep your eyes fixed on Him and your ears tuned into His voice, this can be your reality. Your focus on Christ can lead you into surrender and obedience, which then move you toward an abundant, faith-filled life. If you yearn for a spacious and expansive life in Christ but don’t know how to get there, here are some questions to reflect on together with the Holy Spirit. 

• What part of my life feels fenced in and small right now? Who or what is reigning over that part of my life? What change do I need to make to surrender and declare Jesus as the Lord of that particular situation/circumstance?
• What are my eyes and ears currently fixed on that may be pulling me away from a full life in Christ? How can I make sure my eyes and ears are focused first on God? 
• What choices am I making that are keeping me limited and restricted? How can I pray for a heart change that will trigger a mindset and behavior change in this area?
• How is fear preventing me from maximizing my potential in Christ? What would happen if my worst fear came true? What attributes and promises of God would I be able to lean on in that situation? 

And now, just for good measure, read through these amazing verses one more time. This time, I encourage you to actually read them out loud! If you’re in a quiet place, maybe screenshot them so you can come back to them later. Speak them for your own ears to hear, and then ask God to show you what steps you can take today toward a wide-open, expansive, abundant, fruitful, full, spacious and sensational life in Him!

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! -2 Corinthians 6:11-13