Last week we talked about 3 disempowering life and business beliefs
Remember that, sis?
As we stand at the beginning of a new year, I think it’s important that we discuss how to make it a success
If you’re anything like me, you’ve entered this year with a set of goals and things that you would like to achieve
Here are 4 lessons that we can learn from the widow in 2nd Kings 4:1-7 about how we can do that:
#1 Your breakthrough will come through the mundane
When the widow went to Elisha she, like you, had a particular set of goals in mind. It was to find a way to pay off the debts that her husband had left her with so that his debtors wouldn’t make her sons slaves as collateral. When Elisha attempted to problem solve by asking her what she had in her house, the widow replied ““Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” (2nd Kings 4:2). Yet it was that same jar of oil that she discounted and almost didn’t see as worth mentioning that gave her the breakthrough that she needed. I say all of that to say that your breakthrough will also come through the things that you see as mundane. If you are unsure of your calling, look to your innate talents- including the ones that you see as mundane and nothing special. If you who want to take your business(es) to the next level, know that habit and consistency will be the key to reaching it. In other words, your breakthrough will come through the mundane.
#2 Be willing to work in silence
Speaking of the mundane, another thing that the widow shows us will push the needle forward is your willingness to move and work in silence. For example, while she was manifesting her miracle, “she shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out (2nd Kings 4:5). This is huge because sometimes we’re so busy trying to flex on the gram or seek validation that we allow other people to sabotage us with their words and opinions. Matthew 6:4 says “your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” so work in silence and let your results speak for you and be your fanfare, sis.
#3 Be willing to move forward even if you can’t see the full picture
One of the things that I find interesting about this story is that, upon hearing about the jar of oil, Elisha told the widow her next steps but didn’t give her the whole picture. Check 2nd Kings 4:3-4, he told her to:
Collect lots of vessels from her neighbours
Go into her house, shut the door behind her and her sons, and pour the oil into it
But it wasn’t until all the vessels were full and she went to Elisha to let him know that he finally told her to sell the oil, pay her debt and live on the rest.
You may have some big hairy scary goals going into the year, especially considering this current climate. It may also be that God has told you what your next steps are but you feel hesitant to move forward because the instructions seem incomplete and you can’t see the big picture. In my experience, God acts just like a sat nav (or GPS) in that He typically gives us our next instruction once we’ve followed his previous one and as soon as the time is right for the new one. So, take the widow’s example- trust the process and move on what you’ve heard so far.
#4 Teamwork makes the dreamwork
The widow could not have achieved her goals by herself and neither can you. Like her you need vertical relationships (like what she had with Elisha) and horizontal relationships (like what she had with her sons and neighbours). Click the links below to find out more: