What's in your jar?

Last week, I shared from 1 Kings 17:12-16; Elijah interacts with a woman whose provisions were at their end. She has only a small handful of flour. The drought had impoverished her. She responds to the prophet's request for food, saying:

"As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread — only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it — and die."


We've all been asked the question: Is your jar half empty? Or, is it half full?

Honestly, there are times that I am tempted to look at what I don't have? Sometimes I get distracted by just how little I have left to offer! Know what I mean?

You know, that place where God asks you to serve someone, to give something, or compels you to offer something more than what you feel you have to give.

Surely this woman had to think at some point, what? Don't you see my need? I don't have anything to give you? I can't even provide for my family!!!

But Elijah responds to her, saying: "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'"


Friend, God doesn't NEED anything we have. Our gifts, our money, our time...but...HE INVITES us to participate in the miraculous. When we offer HIM ALL we have...when we abandon OUR NEED to PRESERVE our own life HE PROVIDES FOR US MIRACULOUSLY!



Like the little boy with the loaves and fish...GOD multiplies the provisions to meet the needs of others...


He didn't need our fish...he didn't need our loaves...HE'S THE GOD WHO BREATHES STARS INTO EXISTENCE...




But, he invites us to give what we have so that we can participate and experience the joy of HIS MIRACLE.

Today, I look at my limited resources. I look at my skill sets or the lack thereof. I see what's in my jar and face a decision...

Will I preserve what I have and use it for my own needs...or...Will I give what God asks of me? Will I trust Him for my provision? Will I serve him regardless of the perceived cost?


Matthew 16:24-25 says: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."
NIV


What is God requiring of you? Maybe its a call to help provide for others who are in need. Maybe it's to remain silent when another is attacking your integrity. Maybe it's a call to expend all that you have to serve and not expect anyone to ever notice. Maybe it's to cook a meal for someone who can never repay you. Maybe it's to love someone who constantly seeks their own selfish good.

Maybe, like me, you look at your jar and say...BUT GOD! I don't have enough, even for my own needs! If I give this up, I won't be able to survive. If I offer this, then what about all of these other REAL needs for me???

If that's you today...and you are looking at your own jar and feel overwhelmed by just how little you have left to give...KNOW THIS! GOD SEES YOU! AND HE IS THE SAME GOD TODAY as the God that provided for the woman in 1 Kings. He's the same miracle working God that multiplies the fish and loaves. And, when we give all that He's asked from us, HE WILL NOT FORSAKE US! Even when it seems we are in the midst of a spiritual, physical, emotional, or financial drought.


I encourage you to consider this passage of Scripture; I pray it encourages you:

Psalm 34:17-19, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." (NIV)