Stronger than you think?

She was devastated. Not only had she lost her husband, but she had lost her livelihood, her source of income. And now she was going to lose her two sons. Desperate, she emptied the little bag that would have normally held their finances. Dust and sand was all that was left! Dust and sand! Suddenly, she remembered that Elisha, the Prophet was around. When she approached him, she told him all her woes. After hearing her out, he asked her what she had in her house. "Nothing," she whispered, "but a small jar of olive oil". Elisha took a moment to think and then gave her a list of instructions. The widow went home and asked all her neighbours for empty jars. The widow and her sons then poured the oil into these empty jars. As the jars kept coming and coming, the oil kept flowing and flowing. Until there were no more jars left. She could now sell the oil and not only survive, but thrive!

Our message at church has been about 'Miracle Space'. God works in the lack that we give Him like the story outlined above. Having taken up a new position at work, I have felt out of my depth - inadequate - insufficient. The lack in me seems to be a bit more than usual. For a time I was distressed about my lack, repeating to myself that I can't do this, until I realised that this wasn't lack but this was space. The widow took her lack and used it to create Miracle Space. I needed to take my lack and turn it into Miracle Space.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul eloquently describes how when he is weak, he is in fact strong for God's grace empowers Him. In fact, Paul says he delights in hard times because when he is weak, he is actually strong! He rejoices in hard times! Why? Because his lack was actually Miracle Space - space for God to move and do something greater than we could even think or imagine! 

That changes everything for us. In the difficult times, rejoice knowing God will step into your lack and make something great!

Check out the Miracle Space sermon by clicking on the link below :)

original Miracle Space sermon