Imitating God by doing this one thing...

 

There are many books published on how we should imitate the ways of God. These can include things like, obeying the Commandments; or knowing the Beatitudes, or something similar. 

However, I came across this thought from the author Peter Scazzero recently - it is a brilliant take on following God's example.

"We imitate God by stopping our work and resting."

In light of the lectionary reading from 1 Kings 19 (last week), these words challenge us all, especially as we try to live in a fast-paced world. Elijah was forced to imitate God because of the state of his mind and heart. We shouldn't wait until we are forced into this habit!

Thought: How else can we imitate God's ways?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

I have had enough!

"Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said." - 1 Kings 19:3-4

These words of Elijah stopped me in my tracks this week. How often do we feel like Elijah felt on that day? We come to the end of our tether and there is so much going around us, that we just want to scream: I Have Had Enough!

Elijah's story was obviously very unique, but I think we get it! We can relate to his sense of desperation and despair. What do you do when you reach this stage in your life? Is crying out to God an option for you, or do you try and shoulder everything alone? 

Elijah realised that he had come to the end of his human strength and so he was forced to lie down and let God take over. And God lovingly restored him and nudged him back onto the path again.

2 Corinthians 4:8 - "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair..."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Diving in the deep end!

How far would we go to follow the call of the Lord? This is always a difficult question to answer, as we all come from different backgrounds and experiences. However, Elisha was faced with a difficult decision and in the end, he decided to dive in at the deep end!

1 Kings 19:19-21 - So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant."

The Complete Jewish Bible describes verse 10 in this way: "He left the oxen, ran after Eliyahu and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother good-bye; then I will follow you.” He answered, “Go; but return, because of what I did to you.”

Thoughts: What do you think convinced Elisha that this was what he needed to do?

Living in Grace

D3LM3