When Not Enough Actually Is

 “…I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar.” 1 Kings 17:12

There’s something truly fascinating about the beginning of the New Year! Over the past few weeks I’ve witnessed a renewed resolve in people focused on their resolutions, moving forward from their past and using their gifts and talents to take on some pretty amazing things. They’re confident, resourceful and not afraid to step out and take on new possibilities. But for as many of those who are out there grinding, I know there also might be some who want do great things too, yet their circumstances don’t look ideal and they feel like they don’t have what they need to get it done.

Or so they think.

Though the larger miracle in 1 Kings 17 is an example of God’s provision in both the lives of Elijah and the widow (read verses 8-16), there’s another lesson I learned tucked between the lines that pricked my heart to look deeper at the meaning of what having what I need really means.

During a predicted drought, Elijah the prophet had been sent by God to the city of Zarephath to a widow, who He promised would feed him. When he arrived he saw her and asked that she bring him a drink and some bread (vs 10-11). Her response is what most people would say in a similar circumstance: “I  swear that I don’t have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour in a bowl and a bit of olive oil in a jar” (1 Kings 17:12). After all she was a widow, in the middle of a drought, barely scraping things together, not even thinking she would live to see the next day. Yet this is where God sent Elijah, so surely He knew what He  was doing

As I read that verse, I saw something I hadn’t noticed before.  While it was true that she didn’t have a physical piece of bread readily available, she did have the flour and oil-ingredients to make the bread .

All she had was actually all she needed.

Her “nothing” was actually the “something” that would not only fulfill Elijah’s request but also set the stage to see a miracle in her life.  Once she did what was asked, her family not only ate for many days, but there was always enough flour and oil in her containers until the next season when God sent rain and caused the crops to grow again- just as the Lord had promised through Elijah!

Let that sink in for minute. If God is calling you to do something, could it be because He knows you already have exactly what is needed to fulfill the task? Are you willing to use what you have, even if it seems insignificant?

• Maybe you didn’t finish your degree – but God has given you the ideas and network to start your own business.
• Your marriage might not look exactly the way you pictured it, but God has given you wisdom that you can pour into mentoring a newly married couple.
• Or He’s calling you to write a book but you feel inadequate or like you don’t have enough time, however doing so could impact so many lives!

I admit that I struggle at times with focusing so much on what I think I am lacking, that I fail to recognize what I have at the moment is just what I need to fulfill God’s purpose for my life in this season. As 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” Life is like that though isn’t it. Sometimes we find ourselves looking for the “bread” when the “flour and oil” are in our hands the whole time!” All we need to do is just bake it. What a humbling perspective change.

God can be glorified through our perceived lack my loves. It’s my prayer that you know that “all you have” is just enough when accompanied by faith and obedience to God’s direction in your life.  May you see Him show up miraculously just as he did in the life of Elijah and the widow.

What’s your “flour and oil”?

Always Sent With Love!
Keisha