{"id":614,"date":"2010-06-02T15:19:35","date_gmt":"2010-06-02T21:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/community\/mainlineportal\/?p=614"},"modified":"2010-06-02T15:19:35","modified_gmt":"2010-06-02T21:19:35","slug":"surprising-abundance-a-meditation-on-this-weeks-lectionary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/faithforward\/2010\/06\/surprising-abundance-a-meditation-on-this-weeks-lectionary\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprising Abundance: A Meditation on Sunday’s Lectionary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

A Meditation on Elijah\u2019s Encounter with the Widow of Zarephath <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I Kings 17:8-24\/ June 5, 2010 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s progressive and moderate Christians struggle with feelings of scarcity, despite the abundance of the universe.\u00a0 How often have you heard a group of progressive and moderate Christians succumb to closed-system thinking as we look at issues of budget and membership?\u00a0 Indeed, many congregational and denominational meetings become an exercise in \u201cpractical atheism\u201d the minute issues of finances are raised.\u00a0 Thoughts of God, possibility, and creativity are often eclipsed by laments about what we don\u2019t have and the way things used to be.\u00a0 Many of us struggle simply to get through the next year, buying time before we have to eventually close the doors.\u00a0 We\u2019ve heard the widow of Zarephath\u2019s mantra, coming from our own lips, all too often in our churches and institutions: \u201cI am gathering a couple of sticks; so that I may go home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, an accurate assessment of our financial and personal situation is essential for the survival and health of institutions and families.\u00a0 But, we progressive and moderate Christians often believe \u201ctoo little,\u201d while televangelists and new age spiritual leaders \u201cbelieve too much\u201d when it comes to the resources available to us. Realism is essential in the spiritual journey, but realism embraces our current situation of perceived scarcity in light of God\u2019s abundant universe.\u00a0 As the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead noted, opportunities are always present within the limitations of life.<\/p>\n

Elijah\u2019s encounter with the widow of Zarephath starkly presents two ways of looking at the world: through the eyes of faithful abundance and doubtful scarcity. While there are significant problems \u2013 not the least of which relate to its linear and omnipotent vision of the power of the mind and its disregard of issues of social justice \u2013 progressive and moderate Christians can affirm the the wisdom of the recent \u201cnew age best seller, The Secret:<\/em> positive visualizations and affirmations can change our interpretation of life and may have a role in changing the events of our lives. Further, mind-body medicine has demonstrated that our attitudes, prayer life, and faith can be the tipping point between health and illness, and life and death. As Christians, we are called to affirm that God wants us to have abundant life and that God will provide for our deepest needs, and this includes the financial and spiritual needs of struggling congregations and families.<\/p>\n

When the widow generously shares her meager meal with Elijah, she is connected with the bounty of the universe and, indeed, \u201cher cup overflows.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0She discovers in her risky generosity that the abundance of God will supply her basic needs.\u00a0 In our own lives, we find that while generosity does not magically change our bank accounts or reverse the hands of the clock, open-hearted generosity opens us to experiencing a generous universe in which we discover we have more time, energy, and money than we previously imagined. In letting go of our strangle hold on our resources, we discover that we are connected with the abundant resources of the God.<\/p>\n

Like many progressive and moderate Christians, I find this story spiritually as well as theologically challenging. As a child, my family was thrown in poverty after my dad lost his job.\u00a0 We lived on food baskets from churches and the kindness of strangers.\u00a0 Consequently, financial issues have always been faith challenge to me.\u00a0 Yet, I have discovered when I, like the widow, open to be channel of blessing, I am less anxious about financial issues and future worries.<\/p>\n

As a process theologian, I believe that God presents us with innovative possibilities in every moment of life.\u00a0 There is always a creative wisdom we can tap into, personally and collectively, if we open our hearts and minds.\u00a0 Spiritually, we need to open our whole lives, body, mind, spirit, to trust the dynamic energy of the universe; the energy that is still creating galaxies and still inspiring humankind.<\/p>\n

The encounter between Elijah and widow is an inspiration and a challenge for today\u2019s moderate and progressive churches and institutions: an inspiration to explore today\u2019s perceived \u201cimpossibilities\u201d in light of divine wisdom and to trust God enough to generously share with others, knowing that generosity connects us with the energy of the universe and the wisdom of God, which will provide for our deepest needs.<\/p>\n

Bruce Epperly is a professor and administrator at Lancaster Theological Seminary and co-pastor of an open and affirming emerging congregation in Lancaster, PA, Disciples United Community Church.\u00a0 He is the author of seventeen books, including Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living<\/span>,\u00a0 a progressive theological and spiritual response to Rick Warren\u2019s Purpose Driven Life. <\/span>A Reiki master\/teacher for over twenty years, he is the author of Reiki Healing Touch and the Way of Jesus<\/span> (with Kate Epperly).\u00a0 He can be reached at bepperly@lancasterseminary.edu.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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