Being a pastor is a joyful calling for me … most of the
time. It is a privilege to lead a
congregation, to love people, to be there for others in times of need. Then there are those weeks when I give it my
all, walk with people through crisis, when I’m disappointed in an outcome, preach
with a holy passion and I get tired. When
fatigue sets in, I become vulnerable to discouragement. Everything looks
impossible and worst of all, I am prone to anger. In my own life, I call it the
“Elijah complex.”
Elijah was a preacher to Israel in an evil time, when two ungodly people ruled: Ahab and Jezebel. The Lord God gave Elijah the difficult job of announcing judgment! At God’s command, rain would not fall and consequently, crops would not grow, leaving many to suffer and die. Obviously that message would not make Elijah an admired man, would it? Famine came and people hated him. Finally, there was a crisis, a conflict, and an amazing victory on Mt. Carmel. Jezebel was furious and declared that she would kill him if she found him. Should he have been afraid? Not really, God was with him but the man of God was exhausted and in the moment when he might have rejoiced, he ran away! Alone under a tree in the wilderness, he sobbed, "I have had enough, Lord. Take my life." (1 Kings 19.4) He was not just being dramatic or selfish. He was genuinely spent and his perspective was skewed by fatigue. Listen to his lament: "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." (1 Kings 19:10)
Elijah was a preacher to Israel in an evil time, when two ungodly people ruled: Ahab and Jezebel. The Lord God gave Elijah the difficult job of announcing judgment! At God’s command, rain would not fall and consequently, crops would not grow, leaving many to suffer and die. Obviously that message would not make Elijah an admired man, would it? Famine came and people hated him. Finally, there was a crisis, a conflict, and an amazing victory on Mt. Carmel. Jezebel was furious and declared that she would kill him if she found him. Should he have been afraid? Not really, God was with him but the man of God was exhausted and in the moment when he might have rejoiced, he ran away! Alone under a tree in the wilderness, he sobbed, "I have had enough, Lord. Take my life." (1 Kings 19.4) He was not just being dramatic or selfish. He was genuinely spent and his perspective was skewed by fatigue. Listen to his lament: "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." (1 Kings 19:10)
Can you identify with his heart?
Have you ever poured yourself into some great effort for the Lord,
or given life your all only to descend into discouragement when it was over:
Have you ever poured yourself into some great effort for the Lord,
or given life your all only to descend into discouragement when it was over:
overwhelmed by feelings of isolation, futility, or
hopelessness?
God didn't kick him
while he was down. God didn't say, "Well, what a weakling my prophet
turned out to be. I'll just let him die and find someone else to do my
work." The Lord showed up to restore Elijah! First, he was fed
miraculously to restore his strength and then God gave him a new vision. Those few verses in 1 Kings 19 that describe
the scene are among my favorites in the Scripture. The mountain where Elijah was holed up was
torn by a powerful wind, then shaken by an earthquake. After that, a blaze of
fire swept the face of the mountain. The prophet discerned that God's Presence
was not in the BIG, NOISY, and IMPRESSIVE displays! Then came a gentle whisper- God's revelation of Himself. The prophet was reminded that he was not
alone. "There are 7000 in Israel who
have not joined the idol worshippers!" And, he was directed to go find
Elisha and start to mentor him.
Tired? Too many failures in a row? Working diligently and not getting results you
desire? In your fatigue, have you concluded that God has 'failed' you? There is
no sin in feeling disappointment or even in asking questions. But, make sure
you listen for HIS answer. Likely God's answer to you will come in a quiet
whisper that invites you to wait out His purposes. Do not try to go it alone!
Stay involved with those who love you and share your love of God. Remember this:
"'Not by might nor by power, but by
my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6) I'd love to have
my work validated by all the marks of success, but that may not happen.
Faithfulness is enough.
And, hear this word from the Word. Even when we are faltering,
HE knows what is ahead and He is able to accomplish His purposes. “Meanwhile,
the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping
us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our
praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching
groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant
condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that
every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans
8:25-26 -- The Message
____________
Lord I Need You
Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart
Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian
Stanfill | Matt Maher
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Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
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