Our Tuesday evening bible study group is making use of an introduction to the Bible called "The Greatest Story." It is a quick survey of all the books of the bible, making note of the stories which have inspired God's people throughout the ages.
This morning, I was reading one of those stories. It is about Elijah. Occurring in I Kings 17, it involves Elijah warning King Ahab (King over Israel, but not faithful to the ways of God) that there would be no rain, except when foretold by Elijah. Warned, Elijah flees and ends up in Zarephath. There he meets a widow and asks her to bring him something to eat. She replies she only has enough for one final meal for her and her son, that she is even now collecting wood to make that meal. Elijah instructs her to do as she has planned but to bring him a morsel of bread first, the prepare for her family. She does. And "for many days," the supply of flour and oil does not run out. God provides for Elijah and for his hostess.
There is more to the story - as you might realize. Read it for yourself. As is true for all stories, there are many messages - more content than could be shared in a collection of declarative sentences.
There is the simple message that Elijah is truly God's messenger. There are wonderful images of what it means to extend hospitality. And through it all are reminders of God's intention to provide for his servants.
Stories make up most of the Bible's content. Even the chapters of lists and laws are set within the story of their being inscribed on parchment or stone. Stories allow us to pass on so much more information than would be possible in listing points in an argument.
The same can be said for your story; for the story of your interaction with God. Too often we suffer from the notion that telling others about Christ involves quoting verses or making definitive statements In reality, the most effective way of sharing the Good News is to share how that news has altered your own life. It is telling the story of your appreciation for what it is that God has done for you.
Elijah's story has survived thousands of years of retelling. As it is retold, it invites others to compare their own story and see that no less than Elijah, we have experiences of being called by God, cared for by God, and reasons to give thanks for the servants of God who have extended hospitality to us.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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