Not in high sounding words
Not in mountain moving prayers
Not even in astounding steps and acts
But in the silence of the unspoken
In the restraint freely exercised
Where we’ve given while wanting
Is a snapshot of the greatest faith!

As we all grapple with the countless and seeming mindless changes that have been forced upon us because of the times we live in, I am reminded that faith is one thing that is critical for survival. Who needs faith for a mountain they can clear in a twinkle of an eye? When life downloads the challenging and the impossible, many will question and doubt their faith but that is the time when those who know who they are and whose they are put theirs to the greatest use. True faith has been so distorted and to correct that, we will be checking out stories that defined faith in its truest and most meaningful way.

The woman of Shunem (2 Kings 4:8-37) like us today, had her life going and was not out seeking anything she didn’t have even if she wanted them, when she noticed this Prophet and his servant that passed through her town. She invited them in for a meal once. It must have been quite the meal because the Prophet would stop over every time he passed. That woman must not only have created a warm environment at home, she also gave off welcoming signals that encouraged the Prophet to return again and again without verbal invitations.

Next, this discerning woman teamed up with her husband and set up a resting room for the Prophet. In the course of enjoying these, the Prophet called her, “We appreciate the kind concern you have shown us. What can we do for you?” This is where her faith started shinning. How many of us will not jump upon that wagon and request all that we have been praying so long for? “I have been asking God for a child and He hasn’t done anything about it. I want a bigger house so I can accommodate more of His servants.” I probably will add supply of gas and organic food products for the rest of my life to that list. But not this woman.

We are most disappointed in life because we are consumed by what we want, and whatever we are doing is more of a business transaction with God. We are giving to get. We are doing for God so He can do for us. But not this woman. She was just living out her faith with God, practicing God’s Word of entertaining strangers with no “expectations” lurking somewhere. Even when presented with a blank check, she wouldn’t charge anything for her offerings and sacrifices because it truly was a gift from the heart.

Let’s pause here for today and ask ourselves: why are we doing what we are doing, for God and for His people? Why do we go to church? Why do we study, worship and pray? Why do we go out of our way to help others? Why do we drop what we do in offering baskets? Are we just living out our faith, supporting God and those who serve us or are we giving and counting what we are contributing to keep tabs on how much God owes us?

Blessings
Glory!