Do you remember what true exhaustion feels like? I’m not talking about being merely tired, but truly and deeply exhausted. I experience this feeling about once a year. Every summer I participate in no less than three summer camps. When I was younger I wasn’t very good at pacing myself so I’d get to the second camp and wonder where my voice, energy, and unfortunately my patience had gone. Even though my ability to pace myself has improved dramatically, when I get to the end of that last camp I do experience true exhaustion. The feeling of walking into my house after the last camp is over, and I know I don’t have to go back on monday, is a truly one of a kind experience. (you too can experience this, just tell me you want to come to camp with me this year lol)
Isn’t it strange that we can experience tiredness and exhaustion whether we are doing the right thing or the wrong thing? In fact, in many cases it’s the right decision done continuously that can make us feel tired or the current buzzword “burnout.” No don’t get me wrong, burnout is absolutely real and we spend a large portion of our life fighting back it’s overwhelming sandbags that get tied around our emotions.
In 1 Kings, we read the progression of the prophet Elijah experiencing exhaustion. It starts in 1 Kings 18 with the classic story of Elijah taking on the prophets of bail and showing that Yahweh is the one true God. (If you need a refresher on the story take a pause here and go give it a read)
Then Elijah talks with King Ahab and earnestly prays for rain. As the story goes in chapter 19 Ahab returns home and tells Queen Jezebel everything that has happened. She is thrown into a rage and threatens Elijah that she will kill him. Elijah fled and eventually tried to rest. In his weary state his asks God to end his life saying:
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” (1 Kings 19:4b)
Soon an angel of the Lord appeared to him and sent him traveling for another 40 days and nights up a mountain.
To say that Elijah was exhausted would be the understatement of the century. But it’s what happens next that is so pertinent. 1 Kings 19:9-13
But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 Elijah replied, “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 am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Did you catch it? It’s not entirely about what God said, it is also about what he didn’t say. There was no direction or command. No “Let my people go” or “Go to nineveh’s” although that part came later, (Like 2 verses later) there was first the reminder of who’s spirit empowered Elijah in the first place. Although the past couple of months probably felt like a windstorm, an earthquake, and a fire, God’s reminder is that he is as caring and constant as he is ferocious and powerful.
Maybe your last few months have felt more like a windstorm than whisper. Even though you’ve been making correct choices, life has done its best to beat the brakes of you and right now it’s a struggle to find rest. Can I challenge you to find rest in the search for where God is whispering and reminding you of truth that has become drowned out by the noise of life? Take the time to ask God for rest, and take a moment to be silent in his presence, or to read through scripture that reminds you of his faithfulness.
SOAP Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
