A Thought for the week
Week of September 7
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3-4
Elijah just showed God’s power on Mount Carmel by showing Israel the weakness of the god Baal through a sacrifice by fire and rain that broke a drought in the land. Now he is on the run; a run for his life. After a long journey Elijah was finished, asking God to end his life.
We come to certain times in life we want to be done. Done with kids, done with marriage, done with our jobs, and even done with Church and God. Honestly, there are plenty of good reasons for those feelings and maybe it is okay to be done. In Elijah’s story, he wasn’t done. God came to Elijah and through an angel gave him food and water and sent Elijah on his way. God calls people when they think they are done. Whatever stage of life you might be in, do not be surprised if God comes to you and says “You’re not done yet.”