Joy to the World's Widows

But JOYFUL are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. (Psalm 146:5 NLT))

In the ancient world (anything before 1969), to be a widow was a potentially dangerous identity. Women were chattel. Property. For the purpose of bearing children. If you were lucky, you had sons who might one day provide for you if your husband died. Widows were therefore very vulnerable persons in the ancient world.

Naomi, a Jewish woman living sometime between 1350-1050 BC, lost her husband, then both of her sons. And she lived in a foreign land – the perfect storm to make someone “at-risk”. A few hundred years later, a widow was doing the best she could to raise her son on her own. But her best efforts were no match for a long-term drought. The fact was she was about to prepare and serve one last meager meal for her son and herself. Then they would wait for death. Centuries later, a widow was at the Temple in Jerusalem, and was making her offering – two small coins – pocket change by our standards. It was all she had - the sign of poverty.

Luckily, Naomi had a wonderful daughter-in-law named Ruth, who, now a widow herself, recognized an opportunity before her. She was young enough to go back to her own village, and probably stood a good chance of getting married again. But instead, she chose to be a companion to Naomi, to help her get back to Israel, to protect her from becoming a victim from isolation (read the whole story in the Bible’s book of Ruth). The widow at Zarephath was also fortunate – on the very day she was preparing her last supper, Elijah – the storied prophet of Israel – showed up at her home. He was the presence of God, who was replete with bountiful resources. Turned out it wasn’t her last meal after all – God provided through Elijah (read the whole story in 1 Kings 17:8-16). The widow who probably considered herself forgotten became an example of sacrificial giving – she was honored by the words of Jesus who watched her return her gift to God (Mark 12:38-44). Each of these women received good news in various ways, from various sources. James, the brother of Jesus, said that taking care of widows is one of the components of the kind of religion God looks upon with favor (James 1:27). Looking after widows is apparently a big deal to God.

But widows in our day and age aren’t an exact fit for the widows of antiquity. Losing your husband in our culture doesn’t immediately mean you are destitute and vulnerable as it often meant so long ago. Instead of defining widows in our day and age as only those who have lost their spouse, we should probably think in terms of the women in our world who are most at risk today. Women caught in abusive relationships that have been told that if they flee, they or someone they love will die. Women stuck in human trafficking. Women who have been let down by our still male-dominated society. Women who were victimized by their fathers and are still living under the worthless script they were given. “Widows” are among us for sure.

Interestingly, Good news is good news no matter when or where it is heard. Companionship. Supportive Presence. Honor. All of these modes of good news are as good now as they ever were. The question is how are you being or proclaiming good news to the widows of our world today? How are you shouting Joy to the World this season to the widows who wonder if there is joy to be had? Here, locally – who are the widows among you? Are you engaged in any way with Deborah’s House? In prayer? Support? How about the women of Furaha who are raising 8-10 orphans in an 8’X8’ home?

When we follow in the footsteps of Ruth, Elijah, and Jesus, widows are blessed. There discover that they are not alone. They find supportive presence in the company of others. They feel honored, even by God, as we walk with them as good news. God is honored, too. When we do what God calls us to do, it is an act of worship. In those moments, we are saying to God, “You are worth following!”

But the surprise bonus that comes from doing what God calls us to do is the change that happens in us. When we allow ourselves to do counter-intuitive and counter-cultural works of love, grace – of God! – we do not walk away unaffected. It’s not that we give ourselves to the cause for the sake of growth, as if the recipients don’t matter in the equation. Quite the opposite. The more fully we willingly give ourselves to that which God has called us, the more potent a catalyst the experience becomes in us.

In dialogue with the Bible Study I lead each week each Wednesday morning – mostly widows, I might add – we were talking about Saints from last week’s teaching. Mother Theresa’s name was thrown into the ring. During her life she had many profound insights into the person and nature of God, or service, and of things that matter. Was it her keen study of scriptures? Was it her devotion to prayer? Worship attendance? Wardrobe choices? All of these things certainly helped shape her. But none of these were the primary shaping force in Mother Theresa’s life. Service to the world’s poor was the difference. As she would state, when she looked into the eyes of those she served and loved, she was seeing Jesus.

Perhaps when we long for an intimate encounter of God, we should look for the widows in our midst, and be and proclaim the good news that is theirs because God is still good, loves them, is present, is present in us, and with our help will honor them as human beings.

May you intimately know Jesus and Joy this week as you consider how you might spread some joy to the widows of our world today.

Think...
Who are the widows in the world today?
What would be good news for them?  Who woudl be good news for them?
How can you be good news for them?
What keeps you from being good news to them?
What are you going to do in response to the call of God on your life?