A few years ago our small group was reading a Mark Batterson book. He used a new term to describe the way God works. JEJIT.......Just enough, just in time. One example is how God provided bread for his people who wandered the desert. Six days a week for forty years. The bread of hoarders became moldy in storage, except on Saturday when the bread lasted two days so no collection was made on the Sabbath. Every day the people gathered just enough for that day. JEJIT
The ways of God are faith stretching.......soul trusting.......you wonder if he didn't hear your prayer.....you wonder if he completely forgot about you.
JEJIT is clearly seen in the life of Elijah. It was a time of severe drought. God gave him an outlandish order: "Go to a ravine east of Jordan. You will drink from the brook and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."
Yeah right! The ravens are going to feed me? What kind of an idiot do you think I am? (Don't answer that God!)
The amazing thing is that Elijah did as commanded. The ravens brought him bread in the morning and bread and meat in the evening. You talk about special delivery! Just enough just in time.
Later when the book dried up God sent him off to a foreign place. "Go to Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
Yeah right! A widow can hardly scratch out a living for herself. How is she going to feed me?
Turns out the widow had just a handful of flour and a little oil in a jug. But she made a small meal out of what she had. Every time she went back to make another meal there was just enough flour and just enough oil. The supply did not run dry. JEJIT.
In our land of full refrigerators, stocked pantries and freezers crowded with goodies we are certain there will be something to eat. Rarely do we worry about food. But there are other issues that require a deep trust that God will provide just enough just in time.
You just graduated college and are desperately searching for a job. You are getting married but haven't yet found an apartment. You are running a marathon and hit the wall five minutes ago. The deadline is approaching and you aren't ready to make the presentation. You are entering a room full of people and don't know anyone. The taxes are far more than you anticipated. You lost a loved one and wonder how you can go on.
God promises to take care of his people just like he takes care of the birds. They go to sleep at night unsure of where their next meal is coming from. Regardless, they wake up happy, expecting their Creator will provide what they need for the day.
JEJIT. Just enough, just in time.
He knows what you need. He loves you like crazy. He has given you tools to earn your way but when it seems like you can't go one step further the answer comes, just enough, just in time.
This is the way of God. We like things plan out. We like schedules. We like to know every detail far in advance. If life were like that we'd never need faith....we'd never need to trust in the One we can't see.
The things written in the Bible were placed there for our encouragement and hope. Watch how God comes through for you today. When he does....be grateful. Learning to live the "JEJIT way" is a great adventure.
God help me be like Elijah.
MB