More Than a Makeover: Becoming a Woman of Honor

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I used to think to be desirable was to look a certain way or do certain things, but it's really about thinking a certain way.

I'm going to talk about a story you probably haven't heard of in the bible. The widow of Zarephath. I was trying to figure out how I could incorporate the story to being a woman of honor since she didn't know God yet, but Elijah did. We hear about Esther, Ruth and Rebecca all of the time, but I actually will be diving into how Elijah's faith in God changed this woman's heart to believing Him for herself.

We're looking at 1 Kings 17:8-24. In the first part of chapter 17, Elijah informs King Ahab that God has stopped the rain and the dew, and it won't come back until Elijah says so. God tells him to go away to a place he prepared for him during the drought, but eventually the water runs out and here begins our story for today.

God tells him to go away to Zarephath, a city in Sidon, an area outside the land of Israel, to care for him during this drought. He's told in verse 9 that he will be taken care of by a widow. Being a widow in ancient times was like a death sentence because they weren't able to provide for themselves, but yet he trusts God and goes. He comes to the city and encounters a woman gathering sticks. Elijah asks her for water to drink, which she immediately turns to go get, but Elijah stops her and asks her to also bring him something to eat.

The woman explains that she was gathering sticks to build a fire to cook the last of her flour into a cake for her and her son because that was all the food she had left. Elijah tells her not to fear, and go ahead with her plan but to make one for him first and then go back and make one for her and her son. If I was her I would've have been hesitant because I just explained that I wouldn't have had enough for all of us, but she listens regardless. She did not let her own feelings stop her from being obedient. Kudos. She realizes he wasn't kidding and was able to feed her household including Elijah for many days because the Lord came through with a supply of food!

After this initial miracle, her son becomes sick and dies, and she is PISSED at Elijah. But he carries the boy to his bed and cries out to God, confused and unsettled. He prays over the boy asking God to bring him back, He listens and God restores the boys life. The woman said to Elijah, "Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord's word from your mouth is true." (17:24) There is no evidence to think this woman had faith in God at all, but Elijah was in her home for a little while after the miracle with the flour and oil, and after the event with her son, only then did she truly believe.

I look at these two people and see two sides of one person. The widow who has a past, and probably some trauma that came with fear, isolation and anxiety, and then Elijah who set the example to be brave, faithful, a miracle worker and had an unwavering commitment to God. Both display the process of sanctification. Like me, who is actively learning to be a woman of honor, knowing God on a deeper level, while still having moments where fear, entitlement, selfishness or my past take over my decisions like the widow, while also trying to be obedient, deny my flesh and stand firm in my faith like Elijah. We're all like the widow, but we can strive to be like Elijah.

In this life, we will constantly have to rewire our minds to this certain way of thinking. Dispose of the old, because it's no longer about YOU, it's about God's glory. Just like Elijah, I want to be an example. I want how I live my life to reflect Gods character so other people can see and be transformed, because if Elijah was not firm in his faith, nor obedient, the widow absolutely wouldn't be either. So being faithful isn't just about what God is doing in your life, but for others as well.

Matthew 5:16 says,"In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in Heaven." When we live with integrity and honor we become a light to those around us, drawing others to God. I want my life to be a testimony of His grace and power. Let this story be a reminder, that it's not about you and the struggles you face, it's about advancing the Kingdom, and you might do that by going through trials to change the hearts of others in the process.

Proverb 31 women know true femininity isn't found in aesthetics, but it's found in our character. Honor is what sets us apart, makes us unforgettable and aligns us with the best blessings no one can take away. It’s about choosing patience when the world rushes, grace when others gossip, and self-respect when culture says to settle. It’s about knowing our worth in Jesus and glorifying Him in the things we do.

It’s not about perfection, but it's about walking with integrity, confidence, and faith. A woman of honor isn’t just hospitable, she’s wise, she isn’t just beautiful, she carries purpose. I pray that as the widow, our hearts may be transformed by God's goodness, and I pray as we strive to be like Elijah, that he mold us into women who heal, grow and step into the fullness of who God created us to be. Amen.