God Talked Me Out Of It!

So Elijah 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?" As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."  "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 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." And Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as you have said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it to me, and after make for you and for your son. 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 gives rain on the land.'" 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.
(1King 17:12-15)

This womans appears to be very poor. She had nothing to live upon but a handful of meal and a little oil, needy at the best, and now, by the general scarcity, reduced to the last extremity. She has concluded that when she has eaten the little she has, she will die from want, she and her son.  Upon her grips with this reality, she takes her last journey out to gather sticks (which was used for fuel to bake) ~ for the last time.

Oh how God used Elijah to talk her out of suicide! 

Many who have read these passages of scriptures, and would ask, " Evangelist, how did you get suicide out of this?"  Well readers, lets begin by understanding that 'suicide' simply means the destruction of one's own interests or prospects.  Many of us, as this woman, have, at one time or another, made a concious decision to destroy our own interest (be it a relationships, family, friends, a job or even personal life) because of our refusal to continue the strenuous sacrifices necessary to keep it alive!  But isnt it just like God to have a 'filling station' right at our 'point of no return'!

This woman was in the process of making her 'final arrangements' ~ and here comes a preacher with an assignment! With more than 10 years in Ministry Administration, I've thrown in the towel more times than I can remember!  I can tell you, almost verbatim, what this woman was feeling.... " not a problem!  I'll do what ever you want, cause this will be a wrap in the morning!  I'm not even gonna argue with this guy!  OK!  What ever! You want water ~ you got water!"  However, the conversation didnt stop there, Elijah then askes for some bread (cake).

I laugh each time I read this story because it's such a familiar and personal situation for me. This woman had plans to eat what she had then dieing!  There's NO WAY she'd deviate from this plan! 

This woman was so set with her plans that she didnt realize the opportunity to "barter and live" was speaking to her! She could  have asked for something in exchange for her substance and service ~ but that was'nt the issue!  She was poor, a widow and had a son ~ seemed like life was too hard to continue!  But a conversation was all God needed to give her a miricle!

Have you ever made a final decision to do something out of the spirit of defeat; and as you put it in motion, someone comes along to take you in what is 'seemingly' way off course?  Even in frustration, you go along, because at the end of the day, what's to loose, right?  Well that's just where God wants you!  He's actually using what we think is a distraction, to save our life, meet the need, get us on the RIGHT course, all why showing himself strong and mighty at the same time!

So many times I've made a concious decision to just quit or give up in ministry, and my Bishop will come along and give me an assignment that seems so off course!  God knowing my honor and respect for the Bishop as well as the ministry, I'd agree!  And, just as this widow woman, in my obedience, God talked me out of killing my destiny.

It is my prayer that God's hand become more visible in all our lives.  Many times we choose to give up because we dont see how God could possibly be God in what we think is an impossible situation!  But let me assure you, He specializes in the impossible...... he leaves the possible to us!

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God Bless!

Evangelist Tonya, Founder /  CEO
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