Open Jar

Jonathan Cahn reflects the words of a “teacher” in his book The Book of Mysteries as he describes the importance of being an open vessel.  He asks the question, “Can that which is finite encompass that which is infinite?”  He answers saying that it can if it is open, it might take forever for an open jar to hold a river, but it could.  It can also hold the wind and the rain.  He then follows with this question, “Which is larger, that which you know or that which you don’t know?”  The obvious answer is that which we don’t know, so wisdom suggests that it is only wise to seek what you don’t know and you can’t contain it if you are a closed container.  You must be an open vessel.  This is summed up to say that we are unlimited and can contain the infinitely of God, but only if we are open in mind, heart, and spirit.

This is a very important lesson.  Often I have heard it said by a fellow Christian upon watching another go through a serious and otherwise overwhelming trial, “I don’t know how they did that, I’m not that strong (or forgiving, or loving, or patient, etc.).”  The truth is they are right.  They aren’t.  None of us are in this moment.  But if we are an open vessel, when those times come the strength of God can enter and be there when we need it and can’t do it.  Or the forgiveness of God can come in and overwhelm us when we can’t.  Or we can love at that moment when we are justified not too.  As long as we are open, the Spirit of God is free to come and go with what we need when we need it.  We are not enough to contain the infinity of God if we close ourselves.

This is why we must have faith and know He is with us.  We may not have the strength to take on an army right now, but when the time comes the Spirit of God will move and we will.  It requires faith.  We may not have the forgiveness to do it now, but when the time comes the Spirit of God will move and we will.  It requires faith.  We may not have the love in our heart for whomever now, but when the time comes the Spirit of God will move and we will.  It requires faith.  

And it requires being an open container.