Twelfth Day of lent - Elijah

 

Credit:Daricemachel.com

9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

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. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17

This is an interesting story of  dependence, faith and fortitude.  Previously Elijah had resisted starvation by living off food brought to him by ravens.  Trust his luck to request hospitality from someone who was also 'just' surviving, with her young son too.  But we believe that we do not live with a dispassionate Creator.  Sometimes the light of life is just kept alite, but it never goes out.  Like CS Lewis, who when asked about his faith after his newly wed wife called Joy died of cancer, said "it is hard not to say "God forgive God" (A Grief Observed.)" CS Lewis went on to describe the realisation that if God is dispassionate and inconsistent, then He is not 'Good', or there is no God.  His conclusion was to realise the happiness he had received 'gratefully', and to be at peace. 

For Elijah, we read that a miracle occurred (by definition, a very rare and notable occurrence) and all three lives were preserved.

PRAYER: Thank you for keeping the fame burning in me, and those around me.