Outstanding!
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1 Kgs 19:4-8/ Eph 4:30-5:2/ Jn 6:41-51 The Lord was standing at the edge of the universe, admiring it all, when the Archangel Gabriel interrupted, “Lord,” he said, “I’ve always wondered about something. You gave the Israelites Holy Manna while they marched through the desert. You gave the Indians Sacred Maize. And you gave everyone bread, the staff of life. You blessed so many foods, but never a single blessing for legumes like pecans or cashews. Why was that?” “Because,” growled the Lord, “We don’t need any more religious nuts!” + + + There does come a point when we all have to say “e-nough!” That’s what happened to the prophet Elijah. In a bold facedown, he confronted the evil Queen Jezebel before a huge crowd, and he proved how hollow and phony she and her religion were. He won the debate, but she was furious, and within minutes soldiers were out with orders to kill. Elijah fled to the desert, wondering if winning was such a good idea: He had no friends, no home, no place to hide, not even food or water. He had no options left, and after running for days he was so tired that he couldn’t even think. “Lord, just let me die,” he said and went to sleep. But when he awakened, food had mysteriously appeared. He ate, slept again, found more food, and discovered he had the strength to make his way to safety - and to begin again. Elijah’s story should sound familiar, because there’s not one of us who hasn’t been brought low, defeated, and left with what seemed to be empty hands: The fifth grader humiliated and doomed by math; the mom slowly worn down to nothing by kids she loves; the disappointed spouse who can see no hope this side of the grave; the investor who took all the wrong turns till there was nothing left; the executive who lost all the corporate battles till there was nothing left ... and on and on. We can feel the anguish, some of it our own: “I’m finished,” the voices say, “empty; too tired to lift a pencil; too tired to hope; too tired to cry. Just let me die.” And what is the Lord’s answer? He doesn’t say, “Be strong!” for he knows when our strength is spent and we are empty. Instead, he says, “Be still; rest with me awhile, and wait. As slow rain fills an empty upturned cup,” he says, “I will fill you, if you hold up your cup, and wait, and be still.” Be still and wait with him. He will give you what you need to finish your journey. |