Tuesday, March 28, 2006

What is my oil?

So here I am in Wheaton. I can't say how much I love the people at this church. If you are new to this train of thought, let me invite you on the train- there is a church plant here from one of my favorite Texas churches (besides REFUGE, that is)- Antioch. This is a dynamic Non-denom that is Jesus Focused and world minded. Anyway, when I thought about coming to Wheaton College I emailed the church and immediately connected with sisters in the Lord, that I just hadn't met yet. Then I visited and the hospitality was AMAZING! That was last Novemember. Everything went SWIMMINGLY.....I loved the professors, the program at Wheaton, the college, the church.

The only factors- paying for school and retiring the AWFUL credit card debt that I have gotten myself into over the last few years. So, my plan- get more placements at MEDSTAR AND get hired at Wheaton as a GRA. Well, it was looking like the placements were rolling in...I got into the program....and then...the job...

Well, I didn't get the job. AND then a "for sure" placement, didn't happen. So, that left me where I am now. Still have quite a bit of debt and need a little more money for school.

Don't worry, it isn't as bad as it sounds. But in any case, I have been praying and what I read this morning made me think (scary, I know)-
A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves."
2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."
3 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.
4 "And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."
5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out.
6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest."

So, I began to think- What is my oil? What do I have that the Lord can multiply to pay my debt and for me to live off of? This is my question of the Lord today....if any of you have a thought, feel free to share.

More tomorrow---

3 comments:

Annie said...

Char -

What is MY oil?? Sigh. So yes, if anyone gets an answer, do share. I suppose it's whatever the Lord tells you. This woman didn't know she had something worth multiplying, until she heard the Word of the Lord and obeyed. So ... keep your ears open? If He's showing you this passage, He'll show you the fulfillment too. :> Happy listening!

Annie

BTW I'm doing well ... a few of life's usual crazies ... my husband is changing jobs, and we're looking at buying a house all at the same time. :] Otherwise gravy!

Natalie said...

I grew up hearing that story but I never thought about it in that context. And it seems so obvious! I agree with Annie. God will show you.... maybe the parable you read, and your understanding, was God preparing you to find out what your oil is.

Charlene said...

Thanks friends....I will update my thoughts in my blog tonight :).

you all ROCK!!!