Collecting Empty Vessels -
"Then he said - Go around and borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels - and not a few"
This is the story of a widow, a very poor widow who was speaking with Elisha. Elisha had come to her home needing to be fed and also rest. She told him she had nothing in the entire house to administer to him.
What I saw here was one very major theme. . .as an empty vessel that means you can put something in it. Today I notice so many people that are filled to the brim with way too much to do and be responsible for, they can't breath. There is also the filling of having so much to think about and do that you can't take on one more stimuli. The widow here had no pride left. She told Elisha she had little to nothing to offer him. There wasn't enough to bake a loaf of bread. I noticed a couple of things. The fact that she was humble and wasn't trying to look good or pretend in any way. I noticed that she trusted Elisha, a man of God, and went obediently to make his request a trusted fact.
It is quite hard in today's culture to not put on a show of all we have to offer in our vessel. God made us His vessel to be filled up. But what are you filling your vessel with. Fear, worry, being all things to all people, or so busy you spill over with anger and irritation? Friend of mine had to have a stint put in her heart. It may have happened anyway, but she pushes herself to be all things to all people, all the time. She is rarely able to just sit and rest or keep her vessel rested. I have women ask me all the time, "But, how do I learn to say no, I can't do that?" No is no! Keeping our vessel empty and ready for God's filling is an art, I admit. It is a matter of saying each morning - "Unto you, O Lord, do I bring my life!" "What would you have me do today that I can do only today, to help my family, friends and life as I know it?" Direct my path, show me, guide me.
Ps 25: 1 and Ps 25: 4 and 5.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truths and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You (You only and altogether) do I wait (expectantly) all the day long.
In my own life, I have seen Him do some pretty great things from that earnest request. I just wish I could say I do it everyday. I am doing it more and more, but my obedience only came from having burned out twice in my life from being a very FULL VESSEL. You know when I get full today, I get quite irritable and edgy. It is not attractive. I have incentive. What is your vessel like?
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Two weeks from today - everyone, we only have a day until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve is and will be my 39th anniversary as a woman who decided it was time to find out who this guy Jesus Christ is all about and why would He help me. What a journey. What a wild ride of learning, messing up; listening, messing up; experiencing, messing up; enjoying the blessings of answered prayer and at last, some changes. . .whew!
Practice the Reason for the Season! Fill your vessel with Him.
Block Party was fun, these are usin Christmas Chics. Suzanne Drerup Davis (John's cousin), myself, Sue Michaels and Joyce Covell.
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