[Discoveries] 10-26-08 The difficult assignments -- 1 Kings 17:13

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*But first make a small cake of bread for me. -- 1 Kings 17:13*/

Elijah asked the destitute widow to feed him first. He had heard her 
belief system: "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." And now he flatly 
contradicted it.

Her perception: We are about to die. The truth: You are about to live.

Her perception: We have nothing. The truth: You have abundance.

Elijah didn't stand around arguing with her about her mixed up 
perceptions. Instead, he invited her to experience the difference that 
God makes.

On the surface, Elijah's request seems callous and hard -- to require a 
starving woman and her son to give up half of their last meal. It seems 
self-centered and cruel. The Bible doesn't record the struggle that went 
on in her mind between hope and fear, faith and doubt. But we see it 
played out all over the world between those who curse the church for 
touching their precious pocketbooks and those who give up everything and 
experience our supernatural God.

Between the widow and Elijah, I think Elijah had the more difficult 
assignment ... to ask someone else to sacrifice. But, if we listen to 
God, we will discover even in the difficult assignments that He has 
given us the wonderful privilege of opening up a whole new world to 
those around us.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

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