One of the things I have learned is that E.V.O.O. is really 'extra virgin olive oil'. Who knew?? I lived my whole childhood watching my mom use Crisco and never even heard of plain old olive oil.
But now E. V.O.O. seems to be used for everything--it must be good for us or else really cool and popular. Cooks on TV don't even pause to tell the viewer what E.V.O.O. is--you are just supposed to know somehow innately! So now I know--I am not a better cook yet, but at least I am learning the language. Now to conquer things like sear and roux.
My reading of the Bible shows lots of stories about oil and I guess some at least must have been E.V.O.O. According to one reference book I checked, Bible folks had two grades of olive oil also--the premier grade for lamps, cosmetics, and ritual offerings and anointings. The lower grade was for cooking. So, OK, now I know that I am really behind the times in knowing my olive oil!
A favorite "oil" story of mine is found in I Kings 17. Elijah is sent by God to a widow in Zarephath to find lodging and food. The widow points out that she and her child are starving--there is only enough flour and oil to make one more small meal before they die. Clearly she is not feeling hospitable. Elijah responds with that much used command in the Bible, "Don't be afraid". He tells her to make the small meal for him first, and then promises that the "jar of flour will not be used up, nor will the jug of oil run dry until the Lord provides"...(in this case through rain to end the famine). Amazingly, the widow complies and after feeding Elijah, finds that indeed her provision is secure --God's promise is true. I don't know exactly how long the dry spell lasted in Zarephath, but the jist of the story is that obedience to God brings provision. God provided for His prophet and the widow He chose to serve.
What does this have to do with my cooking skills or lack thereof? Should I pray to be a better cook? Sure, but it is the widow's willingness to obey and the overflowing jug of oil representing daily provision from God that strike me as most significant. Maybe this widow was so discouraged and worried about what she saw as the impending death of herself and her child that she chose to listen to Elijah. What did she have to lose? Have you ever obeyed God or taken a leap of faith because you had nothing to lose? Would God prefer that we serve and obey out of deep love and devotion and trust in Him? Yes, but does He honor obedience and the taking of chances in our lives? I believe He does.
We don't always 'get it'. Reading the Bible tells us over and over again that things God asked of His people often seem ridiculous and unachieveable to earthly eyes. Neither did God's chosen in Scripture always make wise choices, nor remain sinless--yet He used their lives and loved them and saved them nonetheless. "Amazing love.....that saved a wretch like me...."
Now when I hear E.V.O.O. on the Cooking Channel, I will think of the widow. I will remember her trust and faithfulness and willingness to gamble all to feed God's prophet Elijah first before herself and son. I will remember that she probably was afraid despite the admonishment not to be. I will be reminded that I need that kind of faith and that kind of trust in God's provision. God's economy is not based on the GNP. Unless by GNP we mean "God's Natural Provision" for His children and even the rest as 'the rains falls on the just and unjust'.
God planned our lives before the foundations of the earth and He knows every step of the way. He is in 'large and in charge' as they say. I am glad that I have a little reminder of His love and provision--now if I could just learn to cook! xo
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