Weekly Devotional

“I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.”
                                                I Kings 17:12

Ever been told you need to be in a spiritual “overflow” mode before you could minister to someone else?  If this were true, there’s a probability that most of us would be disqualified. We’d find ourselves in a state of constant striving to get “full” enough.  Of course, then there’s the problem of determining at any given time if we are full enough.  And if we think we’re full enough, are we really? – after all, who’s responsible for measuring our fullness.  What a slippery slope!

If we’re striving, it may be an indicator that we’re not practicing being “instant in season and out of season” as scripture tells us to do.  When we are overly focused on ourselves, we may be missing an opportunity God is giving us “now” to reveal His compassion to someone hurting.

More than likely, we all have a testimony of a time in our lives when we were sucking off the emotional dregs only to have God bring someone across our path who needed help.  It’s also more than likely that we didn’t say to them, “I’m sorry, I’m not full enough, my faith is too small, the overflow isn’t manifesting yet, I can’t help you.”   No, rather, we immediately witnessed the compassion of Jesus rise up in us with the Holy Spirit giving us just the right words of encouragement and comfort.

Interesting, isn’t it.  Five minutes prior we were convinced we had nothing to give anyone.  Suddenly, when we forgot about ourselves and became “Jesus” to someone, our own hearts came away from the encounter full to overflowing.  Miraculous.  Empty to full, just by reaching out.

Are you waiting to be “filled up” before ministering to someone else?  Give it up.  Just be willing to share from whatever you possess at the moment – and don’t forget... you have Jesus all the time.

Here’s a few scriptural examples of folks who were not “overflowing” but were honored, blessed and used by God:

Widow’s oil and flour – no overflowing pantry there – but was blessed with an unending supply after she gave what she had.

Widow’s mite – no overflowing bank account – but Jesus honored her before the whole world.

Gideon – no overflowing courage – but was called a “mighty man of valor” and saved Israel with just 300 men.

Samuel – no overflowing maturity – but God spoke to him (audibly) instead of the High Priest.

David – no mighty armor or overflowing strength – but God used him to slay a giant.

Peter – no overflowing wealth – but said to the poor beggar “silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you – rise and be healed.”

Convinced?