Mason Jar Metaphor for Spiritual Fulfillment

 

Human lives are never truly empty; they are always filled with something, whether meaningful or meaningless. This reality can be understood through the analogy of mason jars, which, like our lives, hold various contents. People often perceive themselves as empty, but in truth, every individual’s life contains something—be it good, bad, or indifferent.

Enjoyable things, such as favorite treats or leisure activities, can bring temporary satisfaction. However, even positive experiences or possessions can become unhealthy if they dominate one’s life. For example, something as seemingly harmless as candy can become problematic when it takes center stage in daily priorities ([21:05]). The critical issue is not the goodness of what fills life, but whether it becomes an unhealthy focus that displaces more important values ([23:30]).

Many fill their lives with “junk” or “dirt,” symbolic of meaningless pursuits and distractions that neither contribute to well-being nor foster spiritual growth ([24:05]). Activities such as excessive social media use often lead to feelings of emptiness and brokenness, despite the illusion of engagement ([26:05]). Material possessions, while not inherently wrong, can also become sources of obsession and dissatisfaction when they are prioritized above all else ([27:17]). The essential question is what one chooses to fill life with and whether those things possess eternal significance.

A biblical narrative from 2 Kings illustrates this principle vividly. A widow was instructed by the prophet Elisha to gather empty jars, which then became vessels for God’s miraculous provision ([28:42]). These jars symbolize the potential within each person’s life to be filled with God’s blessings. This filling occurs only when individuals are willing to bring their emptiness before God and trust in His provision.

Ultimately, life can be filled with trivial pursuits or with the richness of God’s presence and purpose. It is imperative to reflect on what occupies one’s life and to seek to fill it with things of eternal value rather than fleeting distractions ([56:36]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from FBC Okeechobee, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO