A Widow's Might

I've been on this journey for over 3 years, so I've read all God's exhortations about His provision for me as a widow. From Exodus to James and all in between I can find verses where God sets forth His covenant of care and comfort for me. And I must say I have clung to many of those verses in my dark hours.

However, He has recently taught me something new. A while back I was reading in 1 Kings 17 about the widow who provided food for Elijah. She had nothing. But God asked her, through Elijah, to give all she did have on faith and He would make sure she was rewarded for it. And verse 15 states her response. "She went away and did as Elijah had told her..." Wow, on faith, she gave all she had. It was not until this week that I really understood why that scripture stood out to me back then.

This week I was reading in Mark and found myself camping in chapter 12 at the story of the widow's offering. I've read it a hundred times, but God spoke in a clear voice about my obligation to Him. Jesus commended the widow above all the rich people, even though her offering was only 2 mites or the equivalent of less a penny. He stated why in verse 44. "They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."

I was stunned at God's conviction this week about my response to Him. He does promise to protect and care for me, but He also requires great action on my part. He wants me to give my all - give everything totally as an act of faith. He wants nothing less. Both widows in these stories gave everything they had - what an incredible faith.

With all my might, I strive to give it all over to the One who has given His all to me. I need to act on my faith more boldly and more completely. I've been meditating on ways I can do just that...where are the areas of my life that I've not allowed God to penetrate and where do I need to surrender more completely? I plan to answer those questions in short order.