"Elisha said, 'Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.'" 2 Kings 4:3 (NIV 2011)
Problems. I prefer to keep them to myself. Being fiercely independent, my instinct is to slam the cellar door shut at the first sign of high winds. In other words, no one's getting in until the storm is past. I'll let God in, no problem. But you — I keep out.
Over the years, God has challenged me on this independent approach, calling it was it is: pride.
It's not overt arrogance, but by keeping others at a distance, it implies I'm all-sufficient and don't need your help. Plus, the insecure little girl in me worries that if you see weakness in my life, you'll question my competency. As so, I've kept to myself, creating a prideful façade of control.
That didn't work very well, however. Repeatedly, God has called me to a place of greater interdependence with others. He's worked miracles in my life when I've humbly asked for prayer. He's broken down walls of distance when I've allowed people to see the real me. I've seen His hand move at the request of my godly friends.
It's now obvious to me God designed us to work together. We are pieces of the same puzzle, and life makes more sense when we are connected.
There's a story in the Old Testament that shows God's plan for interdependence. It's found in the book of 2 Kings and concerns a widow who had a big problem. She needed resources, but the coin jar was empty. Her husband died, leaving her with no means of support, and a pile of debts she couldn't pay. Creditors demanded restitution. Since there was no money, they planned to take her children as slaves.
Desperate, she sought help from Elisha, a man known to be set apart for God. Elisha asked her to do something unusual: go to all her neighbors and request empty jars ... lots of them. Then, she was to return home, take what little oil she had left and pour it into the jars.
The widow did as Elisha instructed. When she returned home, she started pouring. As each jar filled, her sons brought her another. They filled every borrowed jar with oil. Elisha then told her to sell the oil, pay the creditors and live off the rest. She did.
What I love about this story is that the quantity of the miracle oil was in direct proportion to the number of neighbors she asked for help. If she had asked five neighbors, that's how much oil she would have had. Ten neighbors meant ten jars. And so on. The more people the widow asked for help, the greater God's provision.
There's another part of the story not told by the Bible passage, but I can't help but wonder if it happened. At some point, the widow would have returned the borrowed jars. When she did, I imagine she would have told each neighbor what God had done for her, and how that neighbor played a part in the miracle. What a testimony that must have been!
God could have worked a miracle in any way, but He chose to involve each member of that little neighborhood. I imagine they were never the same after being part of something so amazing.
This story speaks clearly to me. God often plans to meet my needs through others. Yet if I keep my problems to myself, I might hinder His plan to bless my friends and broadcast His faithfulness. I'm learning to deny the lies of a prideful spirit in exchange for a humble plea for help. I'm trading my fierce independence for God's plan of community.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I've kept to myself, believing I have everything necessary to solve my problems. In doing so, I may have missed Your plan for meeting my needs through others. Help me to identify pride and submit it to You. Help me to have a humble and teachable spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine
P31 Woman magazine
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion on pride, and a give-away of the Bible study she co-authored, "Welcome to Community."
Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:
Do you have a problem you've been keeping to yourself? Commit to telling one trustworthy friend and ask her to pray about it.
Do you have a problem you've been keeping to yourself? Commit to telling one trustworthy friend and ask her to pray about it.
Reflections:
Why is it hard for many women to share their problems with others?
Why is it hard for many women to share their problems with others?
Is there pride that has kept me from experiencing true biblical community?
Power Verses:
Psalm 10:4, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (NIV 2011)
Psalm 10:4, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (NIV 2011)
James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (NIV 2011)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
Thank you for visiting my website. I’ve put it together for two simple reasons. Not to promote myself as a speaker or author. Not to list my accomplishments. And not to sell books. I’ve created this website for two reasons: to be obedient to God and lead others to Him
You see, if you had known me years ago, you might be surprised to discover that I am speaking to women around the country and writing books. I was the weird one who would have rather gone to the dentist than speak in front of a group. I surely didn’t see myself in this position. But apparently God had other plans.
It all started in 1998 when I submitted to my husband’s desire to move across the country. I didn’t want to go, and my “submission” involved more gritting of teeth than true love and humility. I arrived in the South a bitter, resentful woman who thought my husband had moved us so far out of God’s will that I was going to suffer in darkness for the two years we were planning on being there. Little did I know then God had orchestrated that move to connect me with Proverbs 31 Ministries, a Christian women’s organization that teaches women to respect their husbands, among other things. Hmmm …. Do you think God was up to something? He was.
It didn’t take long for God to direct us to a church where I met Lysa TerKeurst, the president of Proverbs 31. After hearing her on the radio, I clearly heard God tell me to call her. I was nervous, and rattled off something about myself like “I’ve just moved here, I saw you at church, heard you on the radio, then God told me to call and volunteer. I’ve got a degree in journalism, do you need any help?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line and Lysa said, “We’ve been praying for someone with a degree in journalism.” Within a month I was editing their 2nd book and a year later I was hired as the editor of the magazine, which I still oversee. We did return home to Phoenix, but not until God could connect my heart with Proverbs 31 Ministries, and rearrange all my priorities.
After returning to Phoenix, I told God I would do whatever He wanted me to do, and here I am. I’m still listening for God’s direction, still getting pushed/pulled out of my comfort zone, still dealing with occasional fear, and yet boldly and joyfully going where I have never gone before – and that’s wherever Jesus is going!
I’ve been married to Tod since 1983 and we have five wonderful children. I have a degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Arizona State University. Before joining the staff of Proverbs 31 Ministries, I worked in public relations and marketing for developers of retirement and assisted living communities.
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