To go wide requires stretch – but it won’t happen by accident, it's a choice.  

Stretching is: to reach out, to enlarge something, to cause something to continue 

What stretching does:  improve flexibility and range of motion, help prevent injuries, helps wake up muscles and increase blood flow, to extend or make something longer or wider. In spiritual terms when we enter the stretch, it increases flow, enlargement, growth and impact – it allows the Holy Spirit room to move. Whilst at the same time it increases our energy, flexibility and gives life to our souls.  

The stretch is a good place to be! It's a great choice... 

I believe the wide, the stretch for Creative is in being open. Choosing to be open. 

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it Psalm 81:10  

This scripture was in reference to song that the Jewish people would sing during the feast of tabernacles where they were thanking God for His provision and for saving them out of Egypt. The imagery here is that of a nest of small birds opening their mouths wide (stretched) at the appearance of the mother bird. There is a deep spiritual lesson in this. "God's gifts, both spiritual and temporal, are proportioned to our eager longing for them. God cannot give lavishly unless we desire eagerly. Tiny birds that never open their mouths are never fed. To open your mouth wide in praise and worship is to be abundantly thankful for His mercies. In return He fills us with more abundant matter for praise and thanksgiving. His promise is to fill if we are open.  

Remember, as we stretch and offer our sacrifice of praise, we come faith-filled knowing God will meet us. As we open wide who we are and what we bring, He will fill.   

Worship gets to the heart of who we are. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is, not just what He has done. 

This takes a vulnerable stretch. It takes a lot to be authentic, it's takes even more to be authentic in leading a church in worship. It is a brave thing to be wide open in worship. But remember fire always comes on the altar of sacrifice. This is the space where the Holy Spirit WILL move. And this is what we want! It takes our sacrifice – it's our choice. 

Let's unpack that a little... 

We usually think of investment as a financial thing... but that because where you put your money is where your heart is. But tonight I want to think about where your heart is invested. Where do you devote your time, energy and effort. Being invested in worship is caring so much about it that you want it to succeed. Is this how you currently see your time on the platform? 

Being deeply invested takes faith and obedience...  

Luke 5:3-5 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 

It takes courage to be deeply invested. (Believing before seeing)  

It takes obedience to be deeply invested. (Simon just did it, because He said it)  

It takes time to be deeply invested. (Simon had already been fishing before Jesus came) 

It takes humility to be deeply invested (Simon would've looked like an idiot going fishing in the daylight) 

It takes faith to be deeply invested. (Believing before seeing) 

Find out what God wants you to do. This may come from acknowledge your own giftings and being prepared to use them, it may come from a leader asking you to do something, it may come from a prophetic word someone gives you, it may come from the word of God. What is it? Ask and keep on asking til you know where you need to start to be  

Being deeply invested however can start small. Just like in the scripture Mindy spoke on Vision Sunday about rivers flowing from the temple in Ezekial 47. You can choose to start ankle deep, then knee deep, waist deep, neck deep OR dive straight in the deep end – just get in!