Hey You: She Poured It Out | Sarah Jakes Roberts
In today’s fast-paced world, we each carry burdens that sometimes feel too heavy to bear alone. Life’s seasons can be unpredictable—one moment you’re standing in the light, feeling hopeful, and the next, you’re lost in the shadows of grief, shame, or confusion. But what if there was a way to break free from these cycles? What if you could experience a breakthrough not just by striving, but by pausing—by sitting at the feet of Jesus and letting His love transform you from the inside out?
The Beauty of Being Seen by Jesus
One of the most powerful truths about our faith is that Jesus doesn’t wait for us to have it all together before He draws near. He meets us right in the middle of our chaos—sometimes not even in church, but maybe in your bedroom, in your car, or when you least expect it. So many can bear witness: when everyone else left, when your own choices left you lost, Jesus found you. He sees you, not for the mistakes you’ve made, but for the woman you’re becoming.
He lovingly interrupts our routines and convictions, whispering reminders that we belong to Him. Even when you’re surrounded by plans and strategies, or when the heaviness of life makes it hard to breathe, worship breaks through. It’s in worship that we’re reminded we don’t carry our struggles alone. When we worship, the atmosphere shifts. Chains are broken, and a way is made for healing to begin.
Welcome to the “Hey You” Sisterhood
There is something special about coming together, even if for the first time. Whether you’re a local or joining from another city or country, the same grace that flows in one room is available wherever you are. You are not invisible, and you are certainly not alone. The sisterhood of faith is global—every heart, every story matters.
We are united by more than our location or church affiliation. We are connected by a greater Kingdom, a Kingdom where every woman is welcomed, valued, and invited to pour out her heart and receive God’s love. And in this space, there is an invitation: Are you ready to pour out what you’ve held inside? Are you willing to let go and trust God for your healing?
The Story of the Alabaster Box: Pouring Out What’s Precious
The story of Mary and her alabaster box, as told in Mark 14, is a profound reminder of what it means to bring our best to Jesus. After Jesus raised her brother Lazarus from the dead and spoke about his coming crucifixion, Mary did something extraordinary at a dinner party. Ignoring the expectations of those around her, she broke open a costly alabaster jar of oil and poured it over Jesus—an anointing meant for burial, performed while He was yet alive.
People questioned her. They called it wasteful. But Jesus defended her, honoring her act as a prophetic preparation for His sacrifice. He declared that wherever the gospel is preached, her story would be shared as a memorial. Mary’s obedience, her willingness to pour out something valuable, set her apart in history.
Pouring Without Sitting: Are We Skipping Steps?
In our own lives, we can be quick to pour out—giving, serving, striving—without first sitting at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes, in our rush to appear healed, to look like we have it all together, we skip essential steps. We want the outward look of wholeness more than true restoration. In our fast-forward world, the temptation to hurry past the hard work of healing is strong.
Skipping steps isn’t always intentional. For some, it’s about survival; for others, it’s about distraction from pain. But Jesus is calling us not to pour from our emptiness, but from a place filled by Him. Before she poured, Mary sat. She spent time with Jesus, listening, receiving, and letting His presence shape her heart. The result? She had the courage to pour out costly oil when the moment came.
Sitting with Jesus: Where True Strength Begins
If we’re honest, many of us struggle to be still. We’d rather distract ourselves than face our pain. We run from shame or guilt, surround ourselves with noise and activity to drown out the fears. But Jesus isn’t looking for the cleaned-up version of you. He wants to sit with the real you—broken, weary, hopeful, and everything in between.
There’s power in confession—not just to others, but to God. Telling Him about your anxiety, your depression, your cravings for something more, opens the door for God to supply what you need. He’s not thrown by your struggles. When you’re honest in prayer, you can finally begin to expect answers. God promises to meet all your needs, not just financially but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
But many of us fear that healing will be as complicated as the mess we made. That’s a lie from the enemy. God’s solution may be simpler than you think. Sometimes, your willingness to just say “yes” brings a breakthrough faster than all the years it took for the pain to accumulate. Surrender and trust invite God to do what only He can, accelerating your healing and carving a new path forward.
You Don’t Have to Pour Alone
We aren’t meant to walk through valleys by ourselves. Scripture is full of women sitting with each other through grief, joy, and uncertainty. Consider Naomi and Ruth, or Mary and Elizabeth. God places sisters in our lives to sit with us—even when we feel unworthy or unlovable. When the going gets tough, it’s often the prayers and presence of another woman that carry us through.
Let the bond of sisterhood remind you: tonight, you are not alone. Whether you’re waiting for a diagnosis, going through loss, or living in expectation, God has surrounded you with women who will sit with
