Essay Example on Know the Oil in Your Life: A Guide for Understanding God's Presence

It is possible to know the Oil in an individual's life, only that it happens in the presence of God's chosen servant. Oil, in the biblical teachings, signifies the presence of God. However, in the absence of God's servant, it is hardly possible to know if there is any Oil in a person's life. Such a statement does not imply that Oil exists discriminatively. Instead, it points to the fact that Oil is present at all times.

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Nevertheless, most of the people fail to understand its presence because of the absence of a chosen individual that enlightens the affected parties about God's presence. In the context of contemporary living, Oil is always around people. However, most of the people hardly know about its existence until someone breaks it down to them and helps them believe, which boosts their faith.

In the context of the Bible, Oil exits amid all the two characters to whom Elisha performs the miracles. Unfortunately, both of them are oblivious of the power of the Oil until the prophet helps them see it. In the first case, the Oil in the jar of the widow signifies the presence of God, which never runs dry, as Elisha states to the woman (1 King 17: 7-16). In the second case, the widow says that she is only left with one jar of oil (2 King 4: 1-7). However, upon revelation by Prophet Elisha, she understands that it is Oil, and not oil, as she previously knew. Therefore, in my life, it is possible to see the Oil following the revelation by a servant of God. In the absence of revelation, it is just ordinary oil.

I can do multiple things with Oil in my life. However, the most important use of oil is that it fills up my jars. Oosthuizen & Lategan (2016) assert that jars signify expectations, which critically translate into faith. In the case of the second window, the first jar keeps pouring the oil into the other jars. The flow of oil stops when there are no more jars to be filled (2 King 4: 1-7). The flow of oil signifies God's providence, while the jars mirror an individual's expectations that God will provide. Such a fete implies that God's providence only ceases when the faith of the affected individual diminishes. The most instrumental use of the Oil in my life is the boost of my faith and expectance to receive from God.

Besides, I can use the Oil to set myself free from debt and hunger slavery. Walter (2019) posits that the Oil, in both the accounts of Elisha's miracles, was instrumental in freeing the widows from the chains of hunger, to which they had been tied following the deaths of their husbands. The first widow uses the Oil to set off debts and find food for her family (2 King 4: 1-7). The second widow, similarly, faces the threat of death that would result from hunger. It is evident when she tells Elisha that she would use the remaining oil and flour to cook for herself and her child and subsequently wait for death from starvation (1 King 17: 7-16). However, the Oil frees her from the chains of hunger. Summarily, I can use the Oil in my life to enhance my faith. I can also use the Oil to break free from any chains and slavery.

A couple of examples exhibit the use of Oil in an individual's life. Notably, I have not been such a strict Christian. However, my mother has been a staunch Christian ever since I can remember. I have seen how the Oil, which signifies God's presence, has been instrumental in the life of my mother. At one point, my elder sister started developing tumors in her lower abdomen. She needed a prompt operation to have them removed. Unfortunately, my family was not in a position to raise the money for the operation. The diagnosis also occurred at a time when my mother's income had deteriorated to such an extent that she could not afford to pay for her medical cover. However, her belief in God kept her faith strong, hoping that one day her daughter would get the medical help she needed.

Walter (2019) notes that the miracle of the jar of Oil was not only significant to not only the women and their sons but also the entire community. Considerably, the miracles occurred at times when the community was going through hardships. Hence, the miracles were instrumental in raising the hopes of the other occupants of the society. Such a phenomenon was also apparent in my life. My mother's faith and hope in the providence of God were vital in the successful operation and recovery of my sister. Noteworthy, a particular doctor who had been a close friend with my mum came to visit us, and she told her the story. He volunteered to help my sister access the best doctor for her operation. Success boosted my faith, which has been vital in landing my college scholarship.

References

Oosthuizen, A. J., & Lategan, L. O. (2016). Strategic management of the church as challenge and reality: can the habitat of expectation solve this dilemma?. Journal for Christian Scholarship= Tydskrif vir Christelike Wetenskap, 52(4), 277-297.

Walter, D. (2019). The Major Import of Minor Characters in the Elisha-Story Cycle. Academia www.academia.edu M5.