Pour on the Oil

In 1757, Benjamin Franklin sailed for England. From the deck, he noticed that the water behind most of the surrounding ships was churning and agitated, but one ship had calm wakes as though gliding through the sea. Asking the captain about it, he was told, "Oh everyone knows that. The cooks on that ship have just thrown their greasy water overboard." Franklin spent years pondering this phenomenon. When at a lake or river, he would amaze his friends by bringing along a little oil and no matter how choppy the water, when he poured the oil onto the surface, it would become calm.

How? The answer is simple. Ripples and waves are caused by friction between air and water. When a gust of wind blows over a body of water, the air grabs at the water and lifts it up. But, when the surface is coated with oil, even a small amount, the wind cannot easily get hold of the water, and the friction is reduced.

The Hebrew forefathers in the faith understood God's Spirit to be as oil. Oil was used for anointing which was the sign of being equipped. Priests were anointed. Kings were anointed. The Holy Spirit anoints those who are in Christ Jesus. (But you have an anointing from the Holy One. 1 John 2:20)

One familiar passage in Psalm 23 (verse 5), says that our Lord, the Shepherd, anoints our head with oil. We frequently overlook, however, a very important thing: that we are anointed at a table prepared for us in the presence of our enemies.To be anointed with oil in the presence of one’s enemies is to be equipped and to be fortified. It also means to be comforted in the Renaissance English sense of “comfort” (formed from two Latin words, con and fortis meaning “with strength”). God's Spirit equips, fortifies, and strengthens us even in the presence of our enemies.

Sometimes people tend to rub us the wrong way. Often differences in opinion or personalities cause friction and ripples of disharmony. But, when we apply the oil of God's Holy Spirit (who produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control in us), the friction is calmed. We will not easily get angry. We will not easily be offended. We will not allow a root of bitterness to take over. We can forgive, wish the best for others, and grow in grace. May the Spirit of peace be like oil on the choppy waters of your life.