There is a story in 1 Kings about Elijah. God tells Elijah to go to a town called Zarephath. God said he had commanded a widow in town to feed Elijah, so Elijah faithfully traveled to Zarephath. As the story goes, the widow is outside gathering sticks for a small fire. She has a handful of grain and a small ration of oil. Her plan was to cook the last bit of food she had as a last meal for her and her son. After eating their last meal, she said she and her son would die. This proclamation did not phase Elijah. He said, "you will cook some food for me, then you will cook for you and your son." Even though the widow thought she was going to die, she cooked for Elijah. They ate for many days.
At first glance, this story seems really cool and simple. God said there would be a widow in Zarephath to feed Elijah, Elijah went to the town, the widow cooked, and they ate for days.
But hello! The widow thought she and her son were going to DIE because they were out of food! And this complete stranger comes along asking if HE can eat the last bit of food they have. What in the world? I'm not sure what surprises me more: 1. The fact that Elijah seems like a jerk for taking this lady's last bit of food, yet has enough faith that God will provide food for them all, 2. The fact that the lady goes ahead and cooks for Elijah, Or 3. The fact that even though the odds were not in anyone's favor, the oil and flour never ran out! They not only ate one meal, but they ate for many days!
At this time in my life, the 1 Kings story gets to me. I moved from South Carolina to North Carolina on a major leap of faith. I did not know where I was going to live or how I was going to afford life bills plus school bills. I worked 40 hours a week at Food Lion and Domino's Pizza, took a full-time load of Graduate classwork, and ended up renting a place to live. There was a time where I had to get food stamps. There have been many times when I wonder how in the world I am going to keep living the way I'm living for the next 3 years.
I haven't been down to my last handful of grain yet. My oil has not run dry.
Somehow, food has been on the table. Somehow, school has gotten paid for, Somehow, I have been able to work and go to school full time. Somehow, the rent has gotten paid each month on time. Somehow, there is always enough left for my car payment. And sometimes, I don't know how it happens, but it does. I am in Divinity School on a leap of faith, and my oil and flour have not run dry. I don't know if I would have had as much faith as Elijah did. I don't know if I would have gladly given my last meal for my child and I to a stranger. Also, I wonder if the widow was glad. Did she feel happy about giving her food away, or did she think she was out of food and going to die anyways? Why not die faster and give up now? Was she at the end of her hope and will to go on?
The 1 Kings story is powerful. It gives a reason for HOPE, it gives a reason for FAITH, and it has encouraged me the past few weeks.
