By Mark Maher
It’s ok when you feel empty, it’s ok when you feel like you’re not enough, it’s ok when you know your need, because then you remember your source. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)
2 Kings 4:1-7
One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves.” 2 Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.”
The widow began to activate her faith and hope. Faith is what propels us to move forward, sight unseen, a confidence that is going to be alright and that God will bless us in whatever we go through. A quiet assurance, a realization that I don’t have to chase it all down, God is in control.
3-4 “Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside.”
We take the focus off of what we do not have and put our focus on what we do have. What could you do with what you do have? Use the skills that you have, He will do the equipping. Do not overlook what God has already put inside of you.
5-6 She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.” He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped. 7 She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, “Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what’s left.”
When the oil is poured the blessings will flow, so don’t you ever stop pouring. This is at the heart of our calling. The more you pour for Christ, the more you get restored. “God shall supply all our needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
Jesus said just keep giving and I’ll pour into you. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)
Don’t focus on your scarcity, focus on your supply. A lot of us want more, but God wants you to pour, so pour out your pride and get your vessel ready. For YOU are His chosen vessel. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Emptiness is where God does His best work. For we are God’s earthen vessel that can either entertain bitterness or allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through our lives. In times of crisis, what you pour in, will pour out. He is the God of the abundant supply, and this nourishment will become what we call “living water.” (John 4:14) It’s the life changing, renewing, always flowing, audacious love, that sustains us through every season of our life.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit.” (Isaiah 44:3)
The spirit can’t come inside and then just stay stuck. It has to flow. This is how you complete the circle. As “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
