It never ceases to amaze me what God can do if we are obedient in what He asks of us. In today's reading, there is a drought in the land and food was scarce. Elijah asked the widow for bread which she only has enough for her and her son's last meal. He tells her to trust in what she can't see and give what she doesn't have much of. She does exactly what Elijah asked, even though she may not have enough for her family. She believed she would have what she needed even as she gave away food to feed her family.
Would we be obedient in this situation or would we be so concerned about feeding our family first that we would miss the opportunity to serve God? The woman could have easily said "sorry, I have to feed my family first," and no one would fault her. Yet because she was obedient, she had food not just for a last meal but for the entire famine. She had so much more because she was obedient and put others first.
1 Kings 17:12-13, 15 NIV
12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
What is God asking us to trust Him with and do the seemingly impossible or even just the improbable? Are we willing to sacrifice a missed game to feed the homeless? Are we willing to forego our quiet evenings at home to help with VBS? Are we willing to get up early on Sundays and teach Sunday School? Are we willing to buy two used cars instead of a brand new one and give one to a single parent who needs transportation? Are we willing to do without gifts to donate to those in need at Christmas? Do we trust God enough to follow Him when He says leave your community and move to another? Do we trust God enough to leave a job to do full time ministry or mission work? Do we trust God enough to sacrifice even a little of our free time and money? These are not impossible things, yet I have been convicted as I write this knowing that I might hesitate or even refuse to do a few of these things.
I need to trust God more and be willing to be obedient no matter what I think the cost. What about you? We will never have to give as much as Christ did when He took our sins upon Himself and died for us. God will never ask more of us than He asked of His Son. God has a plan for good for each of us, we just have to trust Him wholeheartedly and obediently follow Him even if it means we don't get what we want or we have to do without!
When we are obedient in the seemingly impossible, God will be faithful and do more than we can imagine with our obedience!
--JODI HENDRICKS IS A LONG-TIME MEMBER OF FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. SHE TEACHES ADULT AND YOUTH BIBLE CLASSES. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Religion on 05/15/2019