bodywork

In 1 Kings 17 there’s the story of God’s provision for Elijah the prophet during a time of drought and famine – a time which Elijah had himself prophesied about.

At first, God sends Elijah to Brook Cherith, miraculously providing for him through ravens carrying meat and bread to him in the morning and evening.  After a while, though, the brook dries up and God sends Elijah to a widow to provide for him.

When Elijah first meets this widow she is gathering up firewood to cook the little flour and oil she has left, to feed herself and her son one last time – before dying.  Despite the widow’s dire situation, Elijah asks her to cook a meal for him first, promising that God would supply sufficient flour and oil to see her through the drought.  Taking him at his word, the widow does so, and indeed finds that her flour and the oil do not run out, so that “there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.” (1 Kin 17:15, NIV)

This story reminds me of how God works within his people, his church.  Although God sovereignly provided for Elijah at Brook Cherith for a while, Elijah ultimately had to receive God’s provision through another person.  And that person wasn’t some rich man with plenty of food stored up – it was a poor widow who didn’t even have enough for herself and her son.  But for God, even a needy person can be used to bless a mighty prophet, if they are willing.  And as the widow blessed Elijah with the little food she had, God took care of her needs.  A little later, Elijah was able to return the favour, resurrecting her son who fell sick and died.  Each gave the other something entirely different, but entirely essential.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the church is compared to a body, comprised of various parts.  Each person within the church is like a different part of the body, with different functions to perform and different contributions to make.  Each is reliant on the others, and ultimately on Christ – the head which directs and co-ordinates the corporate symphony.

Even Jesus, when on earth, sought the help of his disciples: he asked Peter, James and John to keep watch with him in prayer at Gethsemane (just prior to the crucifixion), and on the cross he entrusted the care of his mother – whom he would soon leave behind – to John.

No one is so great they don’t need anyone; and no one is so lowly then don’t have anything to offer.   If you want to be a blessing to others, just use what you have – someone needs it.

As Peter said to the cripple begging for money at the temple: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you…”  (Acts 3:6, NIV)

–Joseph Koh

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