Probably one of the most discouraging things in life is unfulfilled expectations – the dreams and ambitions you had for your marriage, your children or a work promotion that do not realise. When the story that played out in your mind does not match your reality.
Elijah had just experienced his greatest feat and highlight of his ministry by calling fire from heaven, killing 800 odd pagan priests, praying and ending a three-and-a-half-year drought and supernaturally outrunning the king’s chariots.
Life could not have been better, when the expectation that the king and the nation would finally turn back to God gets shattered by a woman’s threat to kill him. Within three verses, from running for God, he runs for his life and abdicates as prophet, isolates himself and loses perspective of reality – to the point of opting to rather die than live.
Then God instructs him to go to the top of a mountain, where He sends an earthquake, fire and wind to shake the mountain. However, God is not found in these – it is a still, small voice that draws Elijah to the cave. Often we seek God to move spectacularly to deliver us from discouragement, but He is most likely to speak in a still, familiar voice.
The question he poses to Elijah is, “What are you doing here?”
Go back and fulfil your role as prophet, is the message.
This is the same question he poses to you today, “What are you doing here?”
Go back and take up your responsibility as a father, a mother, a leader in your community. What have you left undone because of discouragement? What are your dreams and goals?
– Heinrich Lourens, zone pastor of the CRC Welkom
