Manifest Destiny

Yes, my friends, there is a price to pay for moving forward and progressing. If the price is right, you could get the deal of the century. Thomas Jefferson did.

The largest land deal in history doubled the size of the United States at the stroke of a pen and the raising of a flag. The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803 by Thomas Jefferson. He paid $15 million for 800,000 square miles of land.

To Jefferson, Louisiana meant expansion. The rallying cry for America’s “manifest destiny” to span from “sea to shining sea” was his motivation. If he didn’t take the next step, the North American continent would eventually become Western Europe.

This deal was arguably the greatest achievement of Jefferson’s presidency for many different reasons, but there is one I especially want to point out: the price of discovery.

Progress has a price. The Louisiana Purchase was made before anyone even knew what it was. The land had never been explored or surveyed. Everything west of Missouri was a mystery, but Jefferson gambled $15 million in borrowed money that it would be worth it.

Can you do that? Can you pay the price for something that has not been mapped out yet? Can you sell out for something simply because you do not have the option to stay where you are?

If you can, I promise you will get your upgrade. Heaven applauds when you go after bigger and better. Go after your own manifest destiny in Jesus. It’s worth the price of progress!