As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Last week we began a story from the Hebrew Scripture about a widow who was in a pretty big mess. Her husband, the sole provider of the house died, leaving her with two children and a debt that she can’t pay. She’s at her wits end, and right in the middle of despair and seeming impossibility, a miracle of God’s abundant provision takes place.
We looked at a book by Rev. Tommy Barnett who using this story came up with his version of the 10 Commandments for the “making of a miracle.” Let’s continue where we left off at point four:
Don’t be blinded by negative thinking.
Her first reaction, like many of ours in crisis is, “Oh me! Oh my! What am I going to do now?” That was the widow’s frame of mind when she said, “I have nothing in the house except this little jar of oil!”
She started out negative, but quickly moved to the positive. This is important! When we look to the God of possibilities, we move from the natural to the supernatural! It would’ve been easy for her to say, “I have nothing in the house!” It’s easy to say, “I have nothing.” But it takes faith to say, “Nothing but a jar of oil.” One possibility, one asset, one thing I can offer to God to use and multiply.
Faith in God changes how we see things. Faith doesn’t deny reality; it just acknowledges that all things are possible with God!
Action is required.
Diagnosing a problem is not the cure; however, it’s the first step to healing. Then the problem must be treated. Elisha told the widow she had to take some action to get out of her situation. He told her to go out and borrow as many empty jars as she could find. Really? OK!
Maybe you’ve heard this phrase, faith without works is dead. Faith is not faith until we do something. Action is required.
Don’t put limits on God.
Can you imagine the local gossip? “What’s that silly widow going to do with all of those empty jars? Did she borrow yours too? She’s finally lost it, poor thing, bless her heart!”
Elisha had told her to go around and ask all of her neighbors for empty jars and don’t ask for just a few. I wonder if she had any idea of what was about to happen? Would she have gotten more if she knew? She put action to her faith.
There are times when we have to step out in faith. What is God calling you to do? God has called us to be a VIP (Vibrant, Inclusive & Progressive) church! We have such good news to share of God’s love. This is God’s church and we are God’s hands and voice. Let’s put action to our faith and not put limits on God or limits on God working through us. I believe the best is yet to come!
Shut the door on doubt.
Look at what happened after the widow borrowed the empty jars from her curious neighbors. Elisha told her, “Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.”
There will always be naysayers saying, “We’ve tried that before. We can’t afford it. We don’t have enough.” Rev. Barnett said, “Seeds of doubt grow in the soil of human despair.”
Elisha knew how this woman’s neighbors would talk and even make fun of her. They’d call her foolish or naïve for even believing in something so crazy. “Collecting empty jars that didn’t even have any CRV value!” Elisha insisted she shut the door on the skeptics and be deaf to doubt.
Pour until there is no more.
This woman of faith and obedience provided the effort while God provided the miracle. As she poured, the oil flowed. I hope she borrowed every empty jar available, for you see, the oil flowed as long as there were empty jars available.
My prayer is that we keep on pouring love and encouragement and faith and hope into every vessel that God brings to us here in this church, and that we are also going out and bringing vessels here to be filled and touched. “Fill my cup, Lord …”
Move beyond the miracle.
“Sell the oil,” Elisha told her. “Pay your debt and you and your children live on the rest.” She could have opened up her home as a shrine to God’s miracle and she would have been in the same boat as she started. Yes, celebrate! Rejoice! Praise God for the miracle and then keep on moving forward in faith to be able to see the purpose of the miracle. In her case God’s provision!
There will always be enough!
I love when Elisha told the widow, “You and your children can live on the rest.” God provided enough to ensure her family’s needs would always be met. God’s help and provision for us is abundant! There will always be enough!
There’s a miracle in your house! Let these words give you hope in hard times and inspiration for the future! You are not alone! God hears your cry, and I’m going to believe with you today, that there’s a miracle in your house. Amen.
