Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave…

I must admit that this is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  Yeah.  The entire thing.  Just think of the background.  Elijah was the prophet most associated with power and miracles.  Yahweh, known as a warrior God.  THE LORD.  And it’s after a great victory over a false god where Elijah basically taunted the prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven to set wood soaked with water ablaze.

Yet here we are.  Elijah is running away.  He is hiding in a cave from Jezebel, and God does not come in an earthly display of power, He comes in a gentle whisper.

And I cannot help but feel like Elijah right now.  Or maybe I felt a little like him before.  This summer was God’s victory in my life.  I saw Him come in power and stop the rain.  I saw Him move in people’s hearts and manifest His love throughout my adventures and journeys.  And now here I am.  I have had enough, LORD.  Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors. I am beaten, destroyed.  A casualty of war.  Burnt out.  I would rather the LORD take my life here and now than live like this, in fear and weakness.

And God is just shaking His head.  But He sees that I do not need Him to come swoop down and tear the ground before me or write me a message in the sky.  Because God is not just the God of great physical miracles or war.  He is a nurturing and loving God.  Steve, you are tired.  Eat.  I do not need to show you My great power, you have already seen it.  Rest in me.

Strengthened by the food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb…

This Word… the Living water… it sustains and strengthens.  When we try to do everything on our own, we get burnt out like Elijah; like me.  The world starts to push back and we cry out, “LORD!  I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do!  I pray, I read the Bible, I go to church, I talk about You whenever I remember.  Why is the world crashing down on me?  Why does it seem like I am the only one trying to praise you?  Why does it seem like no one understands me?”

And, again, God just shakes His head.  Steve, there are countless people who have not been shaken from faith.  You are not alone.  I am here for you and I understand, and so do the people around you.

I… often underestimate how much some people care about me.  I think I am alone, but so many reach out to me.

Sometimes the LORD comes with fire.  Steve!!!!!  BOOM!!!!  *lightning strike*.  Get up off your butt and start doing what I told you!

Sometimes the LORD, the same powerful LORD, comes in a gentle and eternal whisper.  Steve.  I am your strength, you need none of your own.  Rest in me.  Now get up and do what I ask of you.

<IXOYE><