It’s that soul-yearning desire to hear God in that low whisper, even when we’d prefer the great and strong wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. It’s even hoping that God will say to you “What are you doing here, my child?” as He said to Elijah. It’s that need to be where no one can find you and no one knows you and no one knows where you are. In this undisclosed, unnamed hotel room in a random city. ![]() This “I can’t take another step forward” place. Was it the sleep of a dead person–deep, unconscious sleep? Or was it fitful, filled with nightmares? His words were thus: “It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”Īnd then, Elijah slept. He was one prophet of God in the midst of 450 prophets of Baal, and yet he took them all on. I mean, he ran away from the threat of death only to plead for death at the hands of God. But what if there was more to it then just that? He doesn’t seem to me to be someone easily frightened. But sometimes sometimes, it is hard to see.Įlijah ran away from Jezebel’s threats. It comes when it’s more apathy and nightmares and weariness than communion and faith and living. It comes when, as humans, it’s more battling real depression and loneliness and sin instead of peace and contentment and joy.Īnd, it comes when, as we stumble along this path called “Christ-follower”, it’s more silence and doubt and fear than soul-stirring worship and Biblical insights and certainty of God’s existence. It comes when, as employees, it’s more deadlines and pressure and worry over job fidelity instead of promotions and vacations and achievements. It comes when, as parents, it’s more financial worries and teens making deadly decisions and even seemingly endless weeks of little ones with strep throat instead of chubby newborns and graduates with honors and hours sitting at the table playing Uno together. It comes when, in seasons of ministry, it’s more funerals and contentious business meetings and long nights sitting with hurting parents than potlucks and increasing attendance and tangible changed lives. We kid ourselves when we say we have not. Something else at work in Elijah’s mind and soul. ![]() So, I wonder, if it was not just fear that sent Elijah into the wilderness. At the hands of God, which, I suppose, would be better than being slaughtered at the hand of Jezebel, but still. This man, who was under threat of losing his life at the hands of Jezebel and who fled in fear did not pray that God protect him and spare his life. And so, in fear, he ran.īut, I wonder, if there wasn’t more than just fear in his fleeing.īecause, isn’t it interesting that, after running for an entire day into the wilderness and setting (maybe collapsing) himself down underneath the broom tree, he then implores that God would slay him. ![]() And she, in blind fury, was determined to return the favor. Ahab had told Jezebel of the prophets of Baal that Elijah had slain. I suppose that I am looking for a broom tree.
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