There is something liberating about new beginnings. A clean slate. A fresh start. That is what 2020 brings. But we are not just entering a new year, we are also entering a new decade. And as we enter a new decade, we, more often than not, cannot help but want it to be grand. We have big goals in mind. We set a vision for our lives and how we want to live it in the next 10 years. 

Don’t get me wrong, all of this is not bad in itself, but the grandeur that comes along with a new decade can be quite overwhelming. We look at our lives and see how unequipped we are to fulfill this grand vision. Can I be honest here? Sometimes, when I look at the grand vision God has for my life and check where I currently am, I cannot help but feel so little, unqualified, and hopeless. These feelings cause me to overuse the excuse of not having enough to fulfill the big vision. How can a tiny person with little to no resources do great things, right? 

There are many stories in the Bible that show how great things happen when you give God what you have. And that is just what He wants me to do. He just wants me to give what I have.

Consider the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-16. Elijah asked the woman to grab him a drink, and as she was about to bring it, he asked her to bring him some bread. When she heard this, she said that she only has a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. She also explained that she is gathering sticks to prepare it herself, so that she and her son could consume what was left and die. 

When you stop the story here, there are several things that already reflect our lives. We see lack. We only see a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. We look at our current skills and resources and use those to gauge whether or not we can achieve great things for the Lord. What can little do, right? How can little things help us do great things? Well, I am glad the story did not end there. 

The woman received a word from Elijah. He told her not to fear; to do as he says, for the Lord promises the jar of flour will not be spent, and the jug of oil will not run empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. 

Allow me to pause the story right here. Who are the people in your life that can speak life to you like Elijah? Who can remind you of God’s promises in your life? It would be nice to take note of these people and thank them, because in the story, the woman, after hearing what Elijah said, did just what he said. She made some bread for him and made some for herself and her son. 

This part of the story actually surprised me, because if I were that woman, I would probably feel a little bit dismayed. When you look at their current situation, you can say that it is not logical at all to do what Elijah said. They do not have enough resources. They have, in fact, accepted death. When they focused on their reality, that was their vision, death. But when they focused on God’s unlimited capacity, He reintroduced life. 

Sometimes, God may tell us to do some things that our limited minds cannot comprehend. Maybe God tells you to be generous in a season of financial struggles. It does not make sense, but God has great plans for us. And God did what He promised. After the woman’s obedience, despite her present limitations, God fulfilled what He said. 

She saw death, but God saw abundance. God honored His promise. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty. It was a miracle, and a miracle that was delivered, because she used what she had. She obeyed even though it did not make sense at that time.

There are two main things we can take away from this story. One, use what we currently have. Our little can be used for great things, only if we give it to the One who is capable of making things great. A great God coupled with even the smallest thing that we have results in great things. 

Another main thing that we can take away from this story is to trust and obey God even if we do not understand. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

Our vision for our lives given our current capacity can be like that of the woman. Hopeless. But when we offer God our lives and when we use the little things that He has entrusted to us, then we will not just see it, but we will also live the great vision that God has for our lives. His plan for us is good, pleasing, and perfect, which is why I encourage you to use what you have now no matter how little it may be. 

God can work wonders in your small capacity. Are you ready to use it all for His glory? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shekinah is a creator for the Creator. She is in the constant pursuit of living up to her name, by bringing glory to God in whatever she does.