1 Kings 19
Tired and on the run, the prophet of the Lord, Elijah, had been preaching to Israel to restore their relationship with God (Covenant) and to turn away from the idol Baal and Asherah. He had challenged the prophets of Baal previously to light fire by calling on their gods to burn the pieces of meat, however Baal did not answer their request(Baal was a idol). Upon his turn, he called on the Lord almighty and miraculously fire was set alight and people declared that his Lord is God. That day the prophets of Baal and of Asherah were slaughtered.
Hearing this news, Jezebel put down a decree to kill Elijah. Elijah afraid for his life ran and when he reached Judah, he prayed "I have had enough Lord,take my life, I am no better than my ancestors". At once there was angel who told him to get up and eat and drink. He ate and slept in the Lord. The angel came down again and told him to wake up, eat and drink for journey ahead is long. He got up, ate, drank and he was strengthened for the journey ahead.
Times like this, when I am serving the Lord with my heart, taking responsibility at home and managing my studies, taking sometime timeout can be hard to find and in the end as i run I get tired. For in the end I am an ordinary man, i am flesh and bone. These are times when I become impatient, weary, tired, and emotional. YES I have emotions too. At these times I will ask God why, why did this happen, how come it had to be this way? couldnt it be the other way Lord? What could I have done better?
These are times I just shout and cry to the lord, expressing my feelings, through my joy and pain. I have a secret place that I would go to, and just let my prayers feel the night sky. Sometimes in frustration, I would shout at the top of my voice over a passing bridge (or somewhere no one can see just myself and the Lord). Then looking from afar his magnificent creations I can see his mighty hand, his faithful presence in my life. I see the beauty the Lord has made upon the chaos and complexities of life. I am assured that God is sovereign and loving, all I need is trust.
I learnt from Elijah that when we are on the "run", busy with our life, we may feel burnt out and emotional, we need to express our feelings and thoughts to God in whatever way that does not compromise Gods goodness. We need to call on his name for help and strength. He surely answers our prayers, he has for me. He encouraged me through his word, through my friends and through circumstances to reveal that his with me.
Practically what needs to be done? Pray to the Lord, feast on good food (spiritual and physical), food that you like that will give you energy and sleep early. Read his word that he may speak to you. Pray to the lord that you may have a good rest and that tomorrow the Lord will speak to you because God does not want you to run on dry. Just as Elijah was restored so that he may continue to do the good work, it is not wrong to rest, to take it slow and have our own time to be refreshed and restored. May the Lord bring balance and rejuvenate us!
p.s have a timeout chocolate or kit-kat helps too ;)
