Rest, The Journey Ahead is Long

 

Easy chair

This week I’ve been in 1 Kings 17-19 looking at the life of Elijah. I’ve read his story before and yet this time I see something new. I see a truth that I often forget. A truth that I needed. A truth that penetrates my heart.

Elijah had just finished doing great things for and with God. He must have been on a spiritual high. Seeing amazing things from God I imagine Elijah must have been awed by it all.

Yet at the first sign of trouble he runs. He hides. He prays that he would die. Oh how I understand. I’ve been there. Then I realize he must have been physically exhausted by all he had accomplished with God.

He was exhausted and needed rest. God knew what he needed. He lets Elijah rest. God cares for him with food and water. Then lets him rest again. The second time He comes to nourish Elijah He says, "Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you."  So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.” (19:7-8) God knew the journey ahead. God knew that now was the time to rest. Elijah needed rest and nourishment in order to press through the next forty days.

So often I forget that in order to do that which God calls me to do I must take time to rest and nourish my body. But there is a deeper truth here as I reflect on this part of Elijah’s story.

I must also make sure that my soul is properly nourished.  I do not know what tomorrow may bring. I could begin a forty day journey where I get little to no rest or nourishment. So today I give myself permission to rest in the Lord and rest my body. I will choose to nourish my body with food and my soul with His word.

When was the last time you where truly at rest and refreshed by the Lord?

 

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Missional Women

5 comments:

  1. That photo looks like my idea of vacation! Rest...true rest of body, soul and spirit is so essential to well-being and peace of mind and heart. Good words.

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  2. Hello Elizabeth! Thank you for stopping in. I so agree it's my idea of rest too!

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  3. I think this is a special thing the Lord has given us. Too many forget that He designed our bodies like His, and that even He needed a rest.

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  4. I've sometimes felt like Elijah. I've KNOWN that the stressful spiritual life can wear us out. Only the Lord sending His angels, His food, His kindness, His restfulness ... that's all I can count on. Have started to fall apart more than once, believe me.

    Thank you for sharing. Good reminder.

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  5. So true. We sometimes forget to rest. I consciously try to set Sunday aside to be quiet or do something that doesn't involve the vacuum and mop. We need to refresh for the journey.

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