Enlarge the place of your tent,

and let the curtains

   of your habitations

   be stretched out;

   do not hold back;

lengthen your cords

and strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread abroad

to the right and to the left,

and your offspring

  will possess the nations

and will people

      the desolate cities.

             Isaiah 54. 2-3

(Enlarge the vision

and understanding

of what ministry

   looks like

   in all dimensions,

not just what to do,

but whom to seek

             and love,

   even the most unlikely

in the most unexpected

                 moments

and desolate places.

Has it occurred to me

   to love them

and to bring

the name of Jesus there?)

O LORD,

You have placed us

in time and place

and strategic moments

to point others to You

by loving those

          around us,

even the unlikely,

even the unlikable,

even the rebellious,

as once we were

         all of the above.

Open our eyes

     and our hearts

to what You can do

  in this desolate place

and provide us

  the courage to plant.