Sunday 8 September 2013

Barely enough is MORE THAN ENOUGH.

Love is a beautiful feeling isn't? Everyone desires to love and be loved in return. Beyond the mushy feeling and exchange of endearment, I have learnt love is a choice and decision. People don't just fall or trip head over heels in love, that's kids’ stuff. Real love is a conscious effort and decision by responsible adults to pour the best of each other into one another; to serve and be served. It is not a blind eyed decision or a tingling sensation running down one's spine. It's a conscious choice sustained by hard work and commitment. My good friend and special boo shared with me that love cannot be defined by itself but can be described by its attributes such as kindness, forgiveness, sharing, etc. Since every human is born with the innate desire to be loved, it’s a wonder why many people make very poor choices in love. This can be blamed on a warped societal concept, sexualisation and commercialization of love. For those who'd been hurt in love, climbing back on love's merry wagon becomes an arduous and painful task; you worry if your love will be reciprocated or even wonder if you have any more of yourself to give. I'm not an expert on love but I do understand God's kind love. This kind of love is about giving, not just anything but the best of you even when it’s inconvenient... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This kind of love is neither selfish nor blind. "But I've given away the best of me and only get hurt in the end", you say. Well, take a closer look, deep within you'll find there is still something to give. Don't believe me? Let me tell you a story about a lady who found herself in a very painful situation and was still expected to be generous with her next to nothing provision. Death had stolen from her and hunger now threatens to squash what was left. She had nothing left in the world except a hunger riddled son and a "handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug" 1 king 17:12. This woman had a lot working against her. She was a widow-a dead broke widow at that-with a young mouth to feed. She had lost the one she calls darling; the man that plants tiny kisses on her nose every morning and made sure there were provisions for the long winter night. She'd lost her husband and best friend. Now she faces losing the one thing that's left of him to hunger. In the throes of her pain, waltzed in Elijah requesting to eat from what's barely enough for her family. HABA!!!! Elijah could have gone anywhere but God sent him to this particular woman who had "barely enough". I believe God wanted her to overcome her fear of giving, get her focus off her inadequacies and unto a generous God, that's why Elijah came knocking at her door. "Do not fear...make me a small cake from it first and bring it to me" I Kings 17:13. I perfectly understand the woman's reluctance and dilemma. The truth is for people who'd been hurt one too many times, the fear of being hurt again underlies their reluctance to be love or better still give love. But I love this widow’s bravery! She dared to pour the little she had into God's able hands and she experienced such an awesome infinite supply. She didn't hold back the little she had but poured into the right vessel-GOD’S VESSEL. I know what it means to be broken, hurt and emptied of joy but in giving to others in service, I've been replenished. So you think you have nothing to give or are you afraid to give yourself, take a cue from the widow at Zarepheth and you’ll realise that when “barely enough” is poured into God, it becomes “more than enough”.

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