This past Saturday, we witnessed a truly miraculous event at South Beach, Fort Lauderdale. Seventy-five individuals, recently born again and rescued by their faith in Jesus Christ, took the profound step of water baptism in the Atlantic Ocean. It was an incredible sight to see: the sun shining brilliantly over the ocean while, just behind us, across A1A, dark clouds gathered with thunderbolts and torrential rain. It was the epitome of light and dark, a powerful symbol of the transformation happening before our eyes. As Romans 6:4 reminds us, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The symbolism of water baptism is profound. Each person going down into the water symbolized entering a watery grave, dying to their old self. Rising out of the water, they emerged to new life, just as Jesus did when He rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. This public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ was a testament to their commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly.

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

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On Sunday morning, as week three of our Greater series titled “It’s in the House” commenced, we delved into the powerful story from 2 Kings 4. The prophet Elisha encountered a widow who had just lost her husband and was on the brink of losing her sons to slavery to pay her debts. When Elisha asked her what she had, she replied, “I have nothing except a small amount of oil.” Elisha then gave her specific instructions to gather empty vessels from her neighbors. Once she had gathered the vessels, she and her sons were to shut the door and seek God.

As the widow began pouring oil into the vessels, they miraculously filled. The oil kept flowing until there were no more vessels left. When she informed Elisha of what had happened, he instructed her to sell the oil, pay her debts, and live off the remainder. This story highlights the importance of faith and obedience, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Reflecting on this, I thought of how God uses what we have in our hands. He used the staff in Moses’ hand to part the Red Sea, the jawbone in Samson’s hand to slay a thousand enemies, and two fish and five loaves in Jesus’ hands to feed thousands. So often, we think we have nothing to offer, that we are not good enough or lack the necessary gifts. But God desires to use exactly what He has placed in our hands.

This weekend reminded me that faith requires action, even when we don’t understand God’s plans. Just as those seventy-five individuals stepped into the water, declaring their faith, and the widow obediently followed Elisha’s instructions, we too must trust that God can and will use what we have for His glory. Let us remember that with God, nothing is too small or insignificant. He can take what we offer and multiply it beyond our imagination.