Vessels of God (Ephesians 3:20)
By Rachael Adams
Today’s Bible Verse - “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Do you ever wonder if who you are and what you have to offer is enough? I certainly do. Even as Christians who know our identity in Christ, it is hard to live like it’s true. We feel inadequate and insecure about our capabilities and gifts. We wonder if our everyday acts of obedience matter at all.
In 2 Kings 4, we meet a woman who also felt like she had little to offer. Her sole possession was a pot of oil. Despite her lack, the prophet Elisha instructed her to borrow empty vessels to fill with oil. Fully aware that she had nothing to fill them with, she gathered them anyway.
As she poured the oil into borrowed vessels, the oil never stopped flowing until all the vessels were full. She was abundantly blessed as a result of her active faith. Not faith in herself, but faith in God working through her.
The same is true of us. We may only have a little oil, but God's supply is more than enough to fill our empty vessels. And in God’s graciousness, He has enough for us to continue pouring Him out to the vessels around us so they are full too.
This is the beauty of being a vessel of God. In and of ourselves we aren’t able, but God is more than able. As we allow Him to fill us, we can fill the world's empty spaces by using what He has given us. When we offer all we have, no matter how small and inadequate it may seem, we can trust God to turn it into immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Yes, we are fallible and frail containers, but we have treasure inside (2 Corinthians 4:7-9). Our contents are priceless because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This fact alone should give us faith we can act on, knowing we have His power and provision with us in each moment and in every interaction. Since He is more than adequate, we no longer have to doubt our adequacy because we always have Him with us.
This gift of His indwelling presence frees us from the pressures and expectations the world has placed on us as well as those we have placed on ourselves. His work through us gives meaning to the mundane and confidence to our call. We can rely on Him to give us what we can not produce on our own (Galatians 5:22).
Friend, you have everything you need to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. It may not look like you thought, but God can use you as you are to fulfill His great purposes.
Sometimes acting in faith may come naturally for us and other times we may need to borrow our neighbors' faith like the widow borrowed her neighbor’s vessels. But rest assured God is working in you and you are enough just as you are. On seemingly big days and seemingly small, we are valuable to God when we give all we have to Him and watch what He can do with all we have to offer.
Lord, help me to see I am able because you are able. Thank you for creating me in your image and for giving me your Holy Spirit to guide and empower me. I offer myself to you as an empty vessel to be filled by you and poured out so others may be filled by you too.
Rachael Adams is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and founder of The Love Offering. Her heart’s desire is to encourage women to realize their God-given purpose and to embolden them to move into the world through compassionate action. Rachael and her husband live in Kentucky with their two children. Connect with her online at www.rachaelkadams.com or on Facebook and Instagram @rachaeladamsauthor.
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