Jeremiah 38:11 (NRSV) – “So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe of the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes.” Yesterday at church service my pastor preached on how the King’s eunuch rescued the prophet Jeremiah from certain death out of a muddy pit by throwing down a makeshift harness which he fashioned from old rags and worn out materials. It was not fancy or high tech nor did he have time to stitch together something that the Safety Council would approve; however it accomplished the task of saving Jeremiah’s life.
How often do we think that because something we have is old or a little used that it might not be useful to aid others? We must not get caught up in the stigma that only the shiny, brand new and un-opened sterile things of life are suitable for service. I often given rides and pick up those in need of transportation and I love to welcome them in my little, old reliable putt-putt. It’s not a high-end, new model fancy car and it even has windows you have to ‘crank’ to let down - but it gets us from point A to point B with low gas consumption and easily zips through traffic. We arrive safe and sound and it is always easy to fit into parking spaces.
I have a dear friend who cooks more meals for hungry mouths on her old beat up stove (which really has only two functioning burners) than most people do who have fancy modern kitchens with double ovens and islands in the middle of the floor.
Ebed-melech did not care so much about the method of the rescue; the important part was that the person was saved. So the next time you are hesitant to assist in a situation because you might feel what you have is too old, out-dated, low-tech or operates slowly – throw that out the window and let God use you in a magnificent way.
Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed. Rev. Dr. JoAnn
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