What Do You Have?

Continuing our series on capacity building, we will review an account that was introduced in our recent bulletin on the Power of Vision to glean more insights.

The story opens with a crisis in a godly family - the loss of the family head, a man who feared and served God faithfully. His death had plunged the family into debt to the extent that his two sons were about to be taken by the creditors. Contrasting that with the scriptures that a good man leaves and inheritance for his children’s children it was a bit disappointing to see that a righteous man’s surviving family had to borrow. Yet, it is not surprising and we can relate similar stories in our present times. Conflicts between families and stakeholders can leave bereaved dependents in a very vulnerable state. One can only imagine the desperation of this widow who risked losing her children, her only consolation and support system in such a society. Even the fate of her descendants could be sealed in slavery if no intervention was found before the creditor came. It was in the heat of such a plight that she turned to Elisha, a prophet of God.

This initial step she took in itself was interesting because her husband who was one of the sons of the prophets should have had more access to Elisha but we are not told that he approached him on this matter. Now, the very thing this man failed to access and utilize was the first resort for this widow. However, the prophet's response must have sounded a bit awkward. "What can I do to help you?" Wasn't it obvious that the help the woman needed was money to pay off the creditor? Why inquire about what she has in the house? Would she not have sorted out the problem if she had enough in the house? I guess some may share these sentiments too, but what ensued later in their dialogue reveals that we often do not know the value of what we have until we are pressed to have a long hard look.

What do you have? Think carefully before you reply. Like the woman, you may be tempted to retort "nothing at all except..." but is that really nothing. In comparison to what others have or the situation we are faced with, the things we have may seem like nothing but if we will first take stock of the 'little' we have and press on in obedience we will discover that we have enough, with God's help, to pull through our present challenges. If only, we will look more closely.

Reviewing this account, one of the resources this woman had was her network. She was not part of the group of prophets, but by virtue of her marriage to one of them she could access Elisha. Thankfully, she recognized this asset and made use of it. Sometimes, we are hesitant or afraid to utilize the network of people in our space. Obviously, it is not very easy to share certain things with others - maybe for fear of embarrassment or judgement. That is probably why the prophet himself did not pursue this avenue for a solution. But the widow saw that she really had nothing to lose, in comparison to the looming loss of her sons, and chose to be vulnerable with the prophet. Which people has God connected you to and how well are you utilizing the network at your disposal? Often, the first step to get the help we need, we must look beyond the shame, fear or embarrassment, and reach out to those in a position to help us.

When I completed university, during the wait for my national service assignment, boredom set in and I wondered what I could do to pass time. Should I gather some high school students for private classes or should I pick up the computer repair work I had before university? I figured I had more passion and competence to teach physics but how could I access students? I would need a CV and an institution that was willing to have me on board. That meant I had to ask others for an opportunity. I had no contacts in the senior high school in my vicinity but I saw no shame in approaching the headmaster with my request. When I presented my CV and interest, he said they could not pay me but I responded that I was willing to teach for free. Then he said they would give me some allowance and I jumped at the offer. What do you have and what are you willing to do to make something out of it?

When the woman responded that she had a little flask of olive oil, Elisha asked her to go and borrow as many vessels as she could from her friends and neighbours. That was quite a risk to take. What if they slammed the door in her face and bruised her ego? What if the jar falls and breaks before reaching her house? There's really no worthwhile step in life without risks and to make progress we must be willing to take the risk. To a large extent, this woman could already assess the likely response she would get based on the quality of the relationships she had built. If she was a quarrelsome stingy nuisance, the risks would be higher. This underscores the importance of dwelling harmoniously with people and stewarding the connections we are blessed with well. Who are your friends and neighbours? What is the quality of your relationships with them? Can you reach out to them in a time of need?

Shortly after I started the part-time teaching, I applied for an internship with an oil company, having no contacts whatsoever there. But, one day, a friend asked about my affairs and plans and my plans so I shared that I was looking for opportunities in that company. Then she said, "I know one of their big men". Voila! This is networking! She knew me very well and put in some good recommendations for me. I was in class teaching when I had a call to attend an interview with them. When I got there, I was only asked when I could start work. Fantastic, right? But it didn’t just happen by chance: I had to start with what I had. What do you have?

Sometimes, when seeking help for our problems, we may expect that someone would offer a complete solution. But it is important that we clarify our expectations. Her contacts were only going to provide empty vessels but those were just what she needed to unlock the next phase of the solution. A word of encouragement, a counsel, a reference, a feedback, an opinion, an assessment, a criticism (hopefully constructive, but even harsh ones may serve a good purpose if taken objectively), a work opportunity, or a loan. How we receive these 'empty vessels" and apply them to the little flask of oil in hand will determine the outcomes we have in life.

When the woman collected the jars, she came home, locked herself behind the doors and began pouring out the little oil into these containers. Our unique experiences, gifts, abilities, opportunities, interests, strengths, may seem like little. But, if we recognize and appreciate the little, we will discover vast potential in them if we take bold steps of faith and pour them out. Even our past failures and threat can serve us well when we identify someone with a need - a vacuum or emptiness - that they can fill. Don’t waste your pain and negative experiences.

There are potentials in us that can grow and develop when we leverage on other resources around us. The little oil in a flask multiplied in bigger jars. In the same way, what you have can develop additional capacity, appeal, beauty, desirability, reach, audience and market when you borrow from others and apply yourself to do your part of the work behind closed doors.

The final and most crucial ingredient in the miracle this woman had was the Word of the Lord. The prophet had declared but she did her part in following the instructions in faith. She believed this 'crazy' word and took the steps together with her sons. How can this be? was one of the likely thoughts that popped up in her mind. Yet, she expected God to come through for her as she obeyed. The multiplying irace of God will exceed what you ask or imagine. There is no limit to His favour, insights, healing, divine connections, opportunities, wisdom and breakthroughs. So believe that God can bless the works of your hands to bring the provision you need. With Him, what you have can create what you need.

This pattern of partnership with God in the birthing of solutions or miracles is scattered all over Scripture. For Moses to receive a sign of God's supernatural presence, God asked him "what do y have in your hand? (see Exodus 4:1-5). When Elijah multiplied the barrel of meal and cruse of oil, the widow had to first sacrifice the little she had in her hands (1 Kings 17:7-16). When Jesus multiplied bread and fish to feed the multitudes, he first asked the disciples "What do you have here". The solution to your problem is likely not very far away. It is right with you and around you so take a moment to ponder what you have and take steps to receive the miraculous potentials hidden in the little you possess.

Every one of us is endowed with something. Sometimes, in times of lack and insufficiency, it is very easy to lose sight of what we have as we focus on the magnanimity of the issue at hand. It is typical for us to see what others have and overlook what we have in our own lives. But prophet Elisha's counsel bears timeless truths that we must heed, especially if we want to shift generations. What can I do to help you? What do you have? Make time to sit and reflect on what you have. Life, good health, past experiences, Christ in you, with you and for you; all of God's promises and assurances - these are a few to start with. I leave the rest to you.