The Courage to Trust

by Pastor Kathy Barlow-Westmoreland

This week's focus scripture is I Kings 17:8-24.

Sometimes, even in scripture, you are left wondering…what the heck is going on here? The prophet Elijah (who just happens to be one of my FAVORITE biblical folk) has just proclaimed a drought in Judah, and goes to a place east of the Jordan where he can drink from the stream and the ravens will feed him. But then a was a drought there as well, so God sends him away from there to Zaraphath, where a widow will take care of him, which is where we pick up on this narrative.

Why would God send Elijah from one drought ridden place to another? Why would God send Elijah to a widow who was preparing her last meal for herself and her son? Why would God have Elijah have this widow make a choice between this last meal and feeding the prophet? What kind of test of faith is this? Those of us who have never had to make a choice between the life of a beloved family member and a stranger might spout some words about faith and trust, but who among us, if a strange man, claiming to be a prophet of God (or not, for the scripture provides us with no information that Elijah identified himself) would put this man’s desire for food above the last meal for our child?

And yet, Elijah instructs her to make a cake for him, assuring her that there will be enough for days to come. And, miracle of all miracles she does it. And, miracle of all miracles they all have enough oil and flour to last until the rains come…A blessing if there ever was one!

But then, the son of this widow comes down with an illness that leads to his death. What kind of God would save a child only to have him die of an illness? Why bless a family only to have tragedy come upon them?

But isn’t this how real life is? Things happen that we simply cannot explain. Things happen that no one liner, bumper sticker, refrigerator magnet theology can make okay. Tragedy is followed by blessing. Blessing is followed by tragedy. There are things that happen in life that just do not make sense. I mean, if God could keep the flour and oil going, couldn’t God have kept this boy from getting ill? But isn’t this what life is? Unanswered questions. Mysteries we cannot explain away. Pain that will not be comforted by easy answers which really aren’t answers at all.

Now, in this story, Elijah shares the widow’s indignation and takes the lifeless body of this boy and through laments and prayers, God brings new life to this child. But we know, not all children are so privileged. Not all prayers and laments are answered in the way we would choose. There are still mysteries about this story…unanswered questions. And I have to tell you, if you are hoping I will tie this all up in a neat little package by the end of this sermon, well, it just ain’t happening…because I no more have those answers than did the widow or even Elijah.

So, I look at what I do know. I look for what this text does tell us. What does this story bear witness to that we can claim? Is there hope in this scripture, and if so what is that hope? What of God is revealed to us? What can we learn about how God is at work in the world and God’s purpose for us?

First, we experience a God who never leaves us. God did not leave Elijah in the midst of the famine, nor did he sacrifice the widow and her son for the prophet. God remained with them. Even when death knocked at the door, however briefly, God did not abandon them. God dwelt with them, bringing life and hope.

Second, God is listening. This doesn’t mean God will always do exactly as we instruct God- for that would mean we would become God and God would just become our handmaid, there to do our bidding as though we were the ones who knew what was best. But God listens, and God listens with compassion and love. To listen is to not condemn. To listen is to take seriously the suffering and pain, the desires and hope of the people. And God does listen and is attentive to our cries.

Third, God can act. Whenever, however God chooses, God can act and act in ways that are beyond our power to fix or heal or make whole. God will act in ways we do not always understand, but our God will always act in love for us and all creation.

Fourth, God offers new life. Whether it is oil and flour that sustains, or a resurrection from the dead, God brings new life. Sometimes new life comes in life beyond this life. Sometimes new life comes in second chances, or in new opportunities, or in those moments when we can reconcile or redeem a relationship. But however and whenever it comes, what God offers us, time and again, is new life.

These miracles, first of flour and oil and then of resurrection are meant to point us to where God’s heart is for all of us. God’s heart is about redeeming and resurrecting- creating new life in the midst of death. God’s heart is about wholeness when there is brokenness of relationships, limitations of the physical body, insufficiency of resources so that all have what they need to live. God’s hear is about shalom- the peace that speaks not only to nations and neighborhoods, but the family and relationships, to individual hearts and minds. It is the peace the is beyond our ability to achieve on our own, in fact we cannot even understand it. And yet it is what God intends for all of us.

There is part of me that is so encouraged and relieved by this story of the widow and Elijah. For her life is how real life in the world is: it is tragedy followed by blessing; it is blessing followed by tragedy; it is events that happen to us that we cannot understand or explain. It is those moments when without understanding, we are called upon to trust God. To have the courage to quit looking for easy answers or one liner truths. To have the courage to know that whatever happens God never leaves our side. God continues to listen to us- whether happy or sad, whether angry or confused, whether on the edge of insight or the verge of despair. God is listening and taking us seriously. And finally to have the courage to trust, that no matter what happens to us or to those we love, God is offering new life, shalom, wholeness. And that is always God’s intent for us. That is the kingdom of God made real.

Yes, there are still unanswered questions in this story of Elijah and the widow- just as there are still unanswered questions in each of our lives. Faith is not believing when we have the answers. Faith is trusting when there are no answers, when we do not understand. Faith is trusting that in the midst of it all, God loves us and is bringing new life.

This story points us, not to a God of easy answers, but a God of unfailing love and faithfulness. And given the choice…I will always take the God who loves and is faithful even when answers do not come. Together, let us live in the mystery, but confident of God’s love. Amen.

St. John's Westminster Union Church
1085 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
(513) 347-4613