It’s a rare quality, in short supply these days. But today, my soul is awash with musings and gratitude. Why?

This past Monday through Wednesday in Colorado Springs, I had the deep joy of learning, guiding, and encouraging a bright set of leaders. Each one is influencing others in vibrant gospel work toward culture shaping and eternal significance. These wonderful people are seeking Christ and working daily in his kingdom gardens. Their hearts, hands, and feet are wondrously expanding for Jesus-honoring endeavors that shape communities.

My role? Come close over coffee. Ask questions. Listen. Take walks. Plant seeds of affirmation and help till the soil of souls with next-level concepts. Coaching? Yes, but really just gentle nudges, as the moments might call for input.

I returned in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Lancaster PA is home-turf for my typical work. Along with brush stroking lines for Sunday’s teaching and catching up with our church staff’s creative endeavors, I had the joy of sitting with two brilliant and skillful leaders.

They are engaged in local university mission with students. Their heads and hands pulse with fresh plans. I had the immense fun of asking them questions, listening, and guiding them in fresh dreaming and scheming.

What stood out and stirred my soul? Their perspective and practices are also expansive. My heart is full, and I wonder why. In contemplation, I deduce the one-word answer.

Expansivity.

It’s the same posture that prompted Dawson Trotman to purchase the property that holds the Glen Eyrie Castle and Navigators headquarters. That same posture stirred Billy Graham. It was the famous evangelist who urged Dawson to buy the stunning place in 1953.

All these years later, people can gather there for restoration, wandering, listening, praying, and dreaming in fresh ways.

What’s essential for an expansive posture?

Intentional time devoted for open space.

Selection of the different, beautiful environ.

Deliberate, multifaceted questions.

Wide capacity to entertain new ideas.

Deep openness to discern via prayer and seeking input from others.

Courage to embark in the dark.

And trust that your creative Lord God will inspire and guide you!

I pray your weekend overflows with expansive places, people, dreams, and schemes—all for his praise and glory!