A Simple Faith
a little girl from the land of Israel
2 Kings 5:2
In our world of "bigger is better," the value of small things is easy to miss and easier to disregard. More than just disregarding the things of seemingly lesser value, we are also drawn toward the larger, louder moments and experiences as those which are (only) truly authentic and real. But highs only last for so long.
The story of Naaman the Syrian commander is found in 2 Kings 5. His story is known as he was plagued with leprosy. In this story we hear of a "little girl from the land of Israel" who was stolen from her land, her people, being yet another casualty of war. And though she does not exhibit a loud and boisterous part in the narrative, her faith is loudest of all by its simplicity and resiliency. Though dislocated and now in the forced servitude of another military leader, her faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob burns as a light in the darkness.
After being told of the prophet in Israel who would cure leprosy, Naaman departs, loaded down with the finery of Syria and prepared for what surely must be a ritual bursting with pomp and circumstance. (Is there any other way to cure the afflictions of one so mighty as Naaman?) But it was the very expectation of the spectacular, and a spectacular experience, that stood in the way of his healing. Or, we could say it this way: he lacked humility. But we see the beauty and power of humility in this "little girl from Israel."
Now to us. The simplicity of faith, the posture of humility, the "long and slow obedience in the same direction," can sound wonderful "on paper" but it takes time to put it into practice, it takes time to work down into our bones. So we need to start small and stay small. What does it look like to be faithful to Jesus when washing the dishes? What does it look like to be faithful to the Lord when in Zoom meetings for work? What does it look like to live by the Spirit when pouring your morning coffee or tea? Being faithful to the Lord in these, and all other aspects of our lives, is not only about what we do, but by knowing whose we are: "I have called you by name; you are mine." (Is 43:1)
Grace & Peace