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The Believer
wenz
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
22:06
Abundance in Poverty This has been on my heart for the past few weeks ever since I read about the poor widow who offered her 2 copper coins in the book of Mark... "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasure. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on." - Mark 12:41-43 I read that again: "This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others." "They all gave out of their wealth" "but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on" and one last time, I stress: "Out of her poverty, she put in everything - all she had to live on". When I read that sentence a few weeks ago, it has since been embedded in the depths of my heart. It was my turning point to fully entrust everything I am working for into the loving arms of God. and indeed, I tell you, it is truly worth it. God is ever amazing. I have recently decided to commit time into working with the children's ministry, and it is fantasticaly rewarding, and part of it is to teach these children the word of God. As you might have gathered from the lack of posts on this blog, I haven't had the best of free time on my hands, with exams, presentation and essays all back logging to the beginning of december, children ministry teaching wasn't high on my priority list. Yet, I was told on the 12th Nov, that it would be my turn in 2 weeks time, the 26th November to teach. I said yes, because my nearest assesment wasn't until the 1st Dec, and I had time, or so I thought. As the time drew near for the teaching, I started to panic. I was seriously lacking the time to do anything. My revision wasn't even started, let alone up to scratch, and mind you, it is an important exam, and not just one, but 2 exams 5 days apart, plus a presentation which involved reading quite a bit of research papers just in case I get asked a question about something that was linked to the topic, plus my very half written essay, requiring more reading, more words and more effort. I was seriously panicking... and then I remembered the very story about the poor widow, and I remembered what I said to God that morning I read that passage just a few weeks before. I had anticipated this bubble of overflowing things each requiring great attention, and I had specifically asked God, to please help me complete each and every single task, the very best I can, because, out of the poverty of my time, I have decided to give Him what only I could give Him - my time, to teach His word, to the kids. So I closed my eyes, and prayed earnestly, for ideas for the teaching, help to come when I need it, words to say when I open my mouth, and most of all, time to finish everything in quality style, no matter how little time it looks like I have left. And I have to tell you, it has been amazing ever since. Every time I feel my pit getting deeper, I would close my eyes and remember our little promise, and suddenly, sand would fill the pit up and I would find myself sitting on a little sand dune. I not only managed to teach the little kids - who by the way seemed to really enjoy the story about Saul's conversion (not an easy story to teach), I managed to study for my exams, JUST in time to cover everything, sit for the papers and come out not feeling flustered, had my presentation and wasn't asked any hard questions, and last of all, completed my essay with time to spare to rest my eyes and heart, knowing it is all done, and ALL GLORY TO BE GIVEN UNTO GOD. This is why I am typing this, because I just want to encourage you, whatever you think you are lacking, and are unable to give unto God, remember this, and know that even in the poorest of time, the poorest of your own self, the poorest of spirit, even that, if you give it all, everything unto God, it is enough. There is abundance in poverty. And you will only realise how rich you are and will be, only if you are willing to lift up your hands and offer what little you have unto the Lord. "Out of her poverty, she put in everything - all she had to live on" - Mark 12:43b |