Desperate Times

There is the old saying, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Although this phrase dates to roughly 400 BC, as an adage, its relevance remains. This chapter tells of five miracles performed by Elisha. The first miracle begins with the story of the widow who has lost her husband. We know little of him other than she appeals to Elisha and proclaims the reverence he had for the Lord. And now, the widow is fearful as the debt collectors are coming to collect on the deceased husband’s debt in the form of taking their two sons as slaves. This is indeed a desperate situation. When was the last time you were desperate? There have been a couple of times where I have felt desperate because I know there is nothing within my control to help. As a parent, that is my biggest fear. Without getting into details, both our sons faced situations that could have truly impacted their chosen careers. They were adults, and they were in an environment where there was nothing Jennifer and I could do to help. There is the term “helicopter parent.” It describes parents who hover over their children ready to swoop in and rescue them out of a dire situation, much like a helicopter can pluck a person off a mountain cliff or from the middle of the ocean. Then there is the term “lawn mower parent.” It describes parents who try to mow down every obstacle their child might encounter. Although both are well intentioned, they can often lead to a child who becomes a grown-up with no coping or critical thinking skills. That can become a lifelong detriment. At some point, we have to stop thinking (or overthinking) and hold onto our faith and trust God. The woman in these verses is desperate, Elisha asks her, “How can I help?” And she responds with “All I have is a glass jar.” To her, the situation is hopeless. When Jennifer and I realized that we could not be the proverbial helicopter or mower, all we could do is go to God and say, “All we have is a glass jar.” Meaning, there was nothing that we had and nothing we could do to help them in their particular situations. We felt trapped, like this woman. It was a desperate time. And it is during these trying times that the mettle of our faith gets to show itself. It’s not a question of if, but when that test will come. We will feel desperation, but if we learn to “Let go and let God” the desperation of the situation is resolved.