When All Seems LostSample

The Empty Jars

2 Kings 4:3 NIV "Then he said, Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours—empty vessels; do not gather just a few."

The widow's little oil set her breakthrough in motion, but there was another important component required to complete the miracle — empty vessels.

The prophet gave a clear instruction,“Go to your neighbours and borrow empty vessels — and not just a few.” In other words, you are about to experience a divine supply of oil, but the amount of oil you will get largely depends on how many empty vessels you can borrow. The problem would never be the supply of oil but rather your access to empty jars.

The empty vessels serve as metaphors for relationships — people you can rely on during life’s difficult seasons. There are battles you can't fight alone, and there are victories that would require the effort of others. If you are always spiritual but not relational, you will miss out on many blessings in life. In life, you will need people to borrow "empty vessels" from, and you will need relationships when life happens.

Social and relational skills are not innate; they are not given at birth. They are learned and developed. The more spiritual we are, the more relatable we must be. The supply of oil would depend on how many people were willing to lend the widow their empty vessels. But how many people would lend her empty vessels would also depend on her relationship with people. In life's difficult seasons, how many "empty vessels" can you borrow?

We all need a shoulder to lean on when life becomes too heavy to bear. Life is too short to live it solo — you will need people. Problems and Challenges are a given; it is not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when. Don't trivialise relationships, and don’t burn bridges for no good reason. You are only as strong as the people who rally around you during challenging times.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV says, “For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”

Social media friends and followers have their place, but genuine, real-life connections and relationships are essential. In our hyper-connected digital world, it is easy to withdraw into our phones, feeding off “likes, comments, and views” — but that’s not enough. Make the effort to build real, meaningful connections with people. You will need them. Remember, you will always need an "empty vessel."