Bullied Believer

2 Kings 2:23

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!"

Earlier this week, a few friends posted this on their FB walls: “15 year old girl holds hands with her 1 year old son. People call her a "slut", no one knows she was raped at age 14. People call another guy "fat", no one knows he has a serious disease causing him to be overweight. People call an old man "ugly", no one knows he experienced a serious injury to his face while fighting for our country in the war. Re-post this if you are against bullying and stereotyping.” I may not be a fan of reposting pleas (or hoax?), but it sure did strike a chord in me. Reinforce that with real stories from moms in our Lifegroup yesterday, my heart started to burn in ‘holy’ anger. How could some people be so mean? Why would anyone bully an 8 year old? AND, where are their parents?!!

‘Go on up, you baldhead! Go on up, you baldhead!’ Imagine forty-two lads chanting repeatedly that it reverbed. Everybody on that road up to Bethel sure heard it but no one’s stopping them. No parent. No teacher. Nobody. The jeer was mixed with laughter, stirred in arrogance. Insult was their welcome party whenever prophets enter their town. ‘Anti-Baals not allowed!’ was their elder’s slogan in disgust to these ‘Thus saith the Lord’ killjoys.  The news that Elijah was taken up to heaven could have fired up their godless shouts: ‘There goes your main man – and you’re next!’ Probably, Elijah was the only one whom they can’t stand against. His killing of four hundred fifty Baal prophets was enough to make a mark. With him gone, they’re fearless and out in the open. Little they did know that Elijah’s zeal rests in Elisha. They were insulting his person and his call, but it was foremost a mockery to God who made him and sent him. Now that, Elisha can’t tolerate. As so he turned around, called on God’s holiness, and the curse consumed them. Two she-bears mauled all forty-two, as God would in protecting His cub, and to honor His Name.

So, shall I teach my kids to call on God’s curse in preparation for their school days? As a mom, I’d probably do it myself, hahaha. But is praying for God’s judgment to avenge our kids the main point here? Did Elisha do it for his own protection?  Why do you think Jesus rebuked James and John when they volunteered to call fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans who did not welcome Him? Elijah and Elisha’s prayer was against God enemies who were hindering His saving work. The disciples’ were for pride and prejudice, also against His grace to save. What our kids need to learn is how to love their enemies and to do good to those who hate them. Yeah, quite foolishness to this world. But Jesus came for these bullies too. Of course safety measures are to be observed. But ultimately, it is for us to trust in God’s protection. These bullies have no parents to guide them right. We’re called to train ours in the Lord’s instructions. We ought to know the difference. Now for starters, how about not labeling them bullies? Try lost. Compassion will sure follow.  

Half or Double?

2 Kings 2: 9

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"  "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

I woke up this morning missing home. This storm made me wish I was a daughter again - enjoying my favorite champorado for breakfast and mom’s tamarind soup for lunch, yum! She delighted in serving the best meal when everyone’s around. We’d lazily stay longer in bed or watch a good dvd while she labored long (and alone) in the kitchen ‘til our feast is ready.  I miss those pamper years. Being on the giving end now makes me all the more appreciate my mother’s love and sacrifices. She did it to us for thirty six years. I’m on this job minus thirty and plus complaints. I know still have a lot to learn – not just recipes, but character as well.  Wish I could be at least half her good, for the other half means starting my day at 4am.  Oh well! Maybe on my twentieth year, hahaha :>

Elisha was the kind of student who never settled for anything less. When asked by Elijah for a final wish before his whirlwind, heavenward journey, he did not humbly say ‘be half as good as you’- although considering his mentor’s amazing resume, half is already much. Elisha’s request was to inherit a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. For Israelites, it doesn’t mean doubly better. A double portion was their allotment for firstborns. Yes, literally having two portions of the inheritance, but more as a means to continue their father’s work. It meant acquiring the responsibility and owning the authority for the family line. It was admirable for Elisha to ask that from an itinerant prophet, who was not his father in the first place. Surely he wasn’t after worldy wealth, unless Elijah kept those ravens as pets, haha :> It was the sweetest thing a son could ask from his father – the promise to keep his legacy, the proof he valued his life’s work. Elijah reminded him it was a difficult task to ask, and it wasn’t for him to decide. But if God would grant it, his mentee would continue the unpopular battle against royalty and idolatry. It was his best send off party.  God rewarded his faithfulness in discipling Elisha by seeing his faith and hope alive in him. I’m sure Elijah felt accomplished and complete, and loved. Even before the fiery chariots arrived, he was all up and ready to go.

God designed relationships to be both horizontal and vertical in nature. Horizontal is that part where friendship reigns and mutual care is present. It’s what most people long and enjoy. To have someone to be with, share with, live with. The vertical side is that which exist between parents and kids, bosses and employees, teachers and students, God and man. It’s quite unpopular for those on the down side. We seem to be at the mercy of their will, living under their shadows, doing insignificant, considered-menial jobs. What we fail to see is the privilege of learning from these great beings. What we fail to dream is to receive their double portion. To be like them. To walk in their shoes. At this point in my life, there are a times I wish I could turn back time, be under their tutelage and exhaust their wisdom. There’s more to give now if only I listened more, gathered more back then. Half-full is still half-empty.  And what if the next generation follows our lead. Ever imagined a world of quarter-full peeps? Yup, that’s nearly empty :<

They’d Rather Not

2 Kings 1:3b

'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'

Mid-March of this year, 48 medical workers in Bahrain were put on trial, accused of supporting a Shiite rebellion against the Sunni monarchy. They openly expressed criticism on how government forces lay siege to hospitals, using it as baits to identify and arrest those who seek treatment.  Doctors Without Borders has witnessed patients with critical and life-threatening injuries refusing to go to the hospital due to high levels of fear. One patient who got a bullet in his head said he was dragged from the hospital to the police station and when he fell down, he was heavily beaten. Countless testimonials brought them the conclusion that seeking medical attention meant calling forth death. It’s not that they wouldn’t want those treatments. It’s more, they’d rather not.

Ahaziah was probably in deep thoughts that day when he heard about Moab’s rebellion against Israel. It could be his first challenge as newly enthroned king after Ahab’s death. Walking around the balcony of his house, he took little notice it was a lattice he was leaning on, and so he fell into the lower room, badly injured. Bandaged on his bed and Moab almost at his gates, he sure felt helpless and insecure. He sent messengers to consult Baal-zebub of his fate. Elijah kept them from further travel and told them to go back with a judgment message from God. Ahaziah was furious and thrice sent a company of fifty to seize the prophet. The first hundred saw death via fire from heaven. The third set was spared because of their humble plea. Elijah went and saw the king and delivered the same message: deathbed because he disregarded God. Ahaziah could have repented right there and then. He knew Israel’s God was the powerful God. But he also knew his surrender would have countless implications: losing kingly control and not calling the shots, being laughed at or disowned by his pagan family, breaking alliances with foreign nations, saying goodbye to a religion of lust and bounty. Will he rather be maimed but still be ‘the’ man or will he plea to this God but lose all pleasures henceforth? He counted the cost and felt it would do him well to give a No. Not that he didn’t know that God is God. But he’d rather not.

A man found her little daughter gasping for breath in the hospital and he came to his senses. Unusually sober that day, he fell on his knees, begged God to spare me from death, and promised a surrendered life. Yes, t’was my father and their covenant was kept intact to date. I’m sure many will likewise sacrifice anything for their children. But do we really want God pulling us back ‘til were at the end of our ropes? And for what? For a life of freedom from addiction, a marriage of secured faithfulness, a home where forgiveness is practiced? Isn’t success sweeter because of discipline and hardwork, or meals best shared in the company of godly friends? You wish for unlimited resource, you long for peace in life, you seek unconditional love, well it’s exactly what God offers, and much more. Ahaziah’s counted what he will lose but failed to see there is more to gain. God is all we need in life. You know it. He just calls you to fully give Him your life and rest in His care. Would you still rather not?

Business Partners

1 Kings 22:49

At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my men sail with your men," but Jehoshaphat refused.

In the 2003 movie ‘The Italian Job’, Edward Norton’s character double crossed his team after a successful heist and took all the gold for himself. He was their inside man. One with whom they shared their dreams and ate meals with. What made his betrayal worse was his intent to kill them all, including the old man whom everyone considered a father. A man who decided it will be his last as a thief to start anew with his daughter. Norton cared not. He respected none. For him, t’was all about the gold and himself. After a year, the team regrouped to get back on him - - secondary for the gold, but foremost to take revenge. They knew better that be like him. They’re first a team before they’re thieves. That, I guess, was their core value.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was a man of value. Like his father Asa, he pushed reforms in his land and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, there was one fault in him: he made deals with ungodly people, namely the father and son kings of Israel. First, he fought with Ahab against the king of Aram; second, he built a fleet of trading ships with Ahaziah; and third, he allowed his son Jehoram to marry Ahab’s daughter. God made it clear not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Jehoshaphat may have excluded Ahab from the pagan world, for he was a brother, a fellow-Israelite. And besides, those were all business deals. He did it to expand his kingdom, to ensure its peace, to acquire more resources. Sizing his spirituality, he thought he was mature enough not to allow Ahab’s idol worship to influence him. But God is never wrong in His word. Fighting alongside Ahab almost caused him his life. During the war, he was urged to keep his royal robes while Ahab fought in disguise so that the Aramites will have an eye on him. Nice ally huh? The trading partnership proved fatal too. The ships were wrecked and so were his investments. Glad he learned his lesson. He refused Ahaziah's second offer. Sadly though, the royal wedding still took place as recorded in Chronicles. A union which paved the way to Judah's idolatry - - a loss so much worse :<

Why do you think business people take time to list down and inculcate their vision and core values to every single soul down the line? Simply because each one has an idea of how to go about things. They need to set a direction for a movement to take place. No two opposing ideas will get you anywhere. One has to give up and give in. Coming to terms with those who has zero regard for God is not just acting in disobedience, it will also destroy you. If you’re goal is to glorify God in your work and your partner lives for the money, how will you handle Sunday overtime or debt overload or advertising schemes? Or if your spouse is an unbeliever, who will stop him (or her) from falling for another person, how will you handle an argument, what will you teach your children? God is wise in warning us that these people will lead our hearts astray. We can’t do business without values. Politics are not without principles. Marriage is more than feelings and pleasure. Christianity is not a Sunday religion. It’s an everyday relationship with God. So if you think He won’t strike a compromise with them, you shouldn’t either. Who's your boss anyway?

Selective Talking

1 Kings 22:14

But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I shall speak."

When I was still with my parents, I found a way of making sure my actions will not go against their will, or in teen’s term: how to keep thyself from being scolded, haha :> I realized that since the bulk of the stories were coming from me, I could do some editing and highlight the good and bury the 'not'. For example, they need not know that in between Saturday classes and church rehearsals, I was out with friends. If it leaks, plan B says I use the general word ‘friends’, and not ‘girls with boys’. There was also that time when I failed an exam and I still bubbly went home and bragged about the other results. They’re happy and my image was good. Who cares about deleted scenes?

When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, visited Israel, he surely received a warm welcome being the father of Jehoram, Ahab’s son-in-law. Aside from that, he was being eyed as an ally against Aram. Any wish and it will be granted. Jehoshaphat agreed but on the condition that they seek God’s counsel first. So Ahab called his four hundred prophets and whether it was by his prompting or in pleasing him and his guest, they were unanimous in saying that the Lord will give them victory. Discerning some faulty wires there, Jehoshaphat asked again, specifically for ‘a prophet of the Lord’. Ahab warned him that there was one but his prophesies were always bad on him (Was he expecting blessings for his ungodliness?). As the prophet Micaiah was being brought to the entrance of Samaria’s gate, the messenger tipped that all others predicted success for the king and that it would do well for him to agree with theirs, and speak favorably. He did. Possibly in much sarcasm because Ahab asked him a second time. And so he unveiled God’s truth, that is, Ahab’s death, Israel’s scatter, even the lying spirit in the mouths of the four hundred. He got a slap in the face for that last one, and was imprisoned for the first two. Truth hurts!

Jehoshaphat need not know they were false prophets. He need not know they weren’t communing with God at all. All Ahab cares was to please his terms and seal the deal.  So like today’s advertisers tickling us with pleasures and wants under the pretense of needs. So like our friends supporting our ungodly relationships and vices and calling it earned rights. Who cares about truth nowadays? The Bible has that reputation of hindering our joys and making us uncool. More like a NO book to this tech-y generation. But given our limited capabilities and wavering will, our feet will surely be tossed here and there by every changing season. Without God’s solid ground and truth-based allies, we’ll easily lose grip on life. Proverbs say 'better is open rebuke than hidden love', and 'whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet'.  So don’t edit your talks. Don’t delete those scenes. Truth will hurt. But in the end, it will save.

Zealously Wrong

1 Kings 21:7

Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

When we were watching the fifth installment of Fast and Furious, Tris commended how good Hollywood is in amazing us with skill excellence in their films. No, he’s not talking about how good they produce movies, it is how they create great characters wowing us with top of the line tricks. Aside from car uploads, it was that scene when Vin Diesel recruited his elite team to pull one last job, this time against the criminal empire in Rio. Although I can’t help but refer back to ‘The Italian Job’, it’s still very interesting to see a bunch of experts ramp around doing the unbelievable and how each part contributed to a job-cool-y-done. I was cheering and all-supportive throughout the chase. Who cares if they’re the fugitives? Hahaha :>

Jezebel would sure earn good reviews if we’re to put today's chapter to film. A woman of strength, wit and will, she outshone Ahab, the supposedly lead character. First scene we find the latter making deals with the vineyard owner Naboth. Second scene he’s facedown to a couch, like a brat boy sulking and refusing to eat when rejected of his request. Third scene was the glamorous entrance of this queen. Confident and calm, she mocked… then assured her husband she’ll get that land for him. A grand plan was running in her head. She will write a letter in Ahab’s name for the elders to proclaim a fast. That will prep everyone’s zeal for righteousness. Naboth will be asked to seat in a prominent place, clueless that next to him are two scoundrels who will accuse him of blasphemy and treason. It’s inescapable to have two crimes validated by two witnesses. He’ll surely be stoned to death in no time. It was a brilliant plan. A seamless crime beneath a moral system. We could imagine Jezebel’s cruel grin as she entered the king’s room for the signet ring.

God’s enemy is incredibly serious in destroying God’s work and His people. 1 Peter says ‘Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour’.  Lions, not mice! Think they’re small time? Look at his followers, those we suspect as behind the cruelties and injustice in the land – aren’t they the wealthy, the influential, the powerful. They are thorough in their plans, precise in their timings, and they leave no stone unturned. Should they be more hardworking than us, more zealous, more disciplined than us? How many Christians are now in key positions? Is it because the system hates us, or because we’re not above standards?  It’s a shame that we who claim to have unlimited and peerless resource rank low or place second, if we’re to push it. Let’s suppose an elite team is to be assembled for something big, say affecting the whole world, will we be tapped in? (Or at least considered?) And we wonder why the gospel has so little voice in this corrupt land :<  

No Crown, But Not a Coward

1 Kings 20:42

He said to the king, This is what the LORD says: 'You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.'

Around this time yesterday, the web walls flooded with Miss U posts. It may be Miss Angola who bagged the crown, but our very own Shamcey Supsup definitely did not lag behind. Malacanang had three words for her: humility, intellect and grace. The Q&A portion displayed an admirable fourth one: faith. When asked if she would change her religion to marry the one she loves, she answered, ‘If I would have to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love. Because the first person that I love is God, who created me. I have my faith and my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. If the person loves me, he’ll love my God, too’. Some found her last sentence fatal in a competition where mutual respect is highly observed. But who says it was her personal principles? It was God’s in the first place and she merely acted in obedience. And that, for us, is her winning crown.

Many would give up everything for the crown. Five chapters back, we read of Judah’s King Asa bribing Ben-Hadad to break treaty with Israel and side with him instead. That same king of Aram reappears here and besieged Samaria. His pride and malice called out King Ahab to surrender everything under his feet. If not for God’s hand, there was no way Israel’s flock could fight against this vast army – twice! The win was for both Israel and Aram to know that He is God, the Gracious and Just. But when Ben-Hadad pleaded for mercy, Ahab gave him full pardon. He even called him a brother and made a treaty with him. He sure could win a title for this world peace act. But was it for him to give? As ultimate judge, we find God’s verdict to Ahab’s seemingly humanitarian answer: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’ Woew! I guess not even God’s answer could win by popular vote. Play-rewind to verse 36 and you’ll find a prophet killed by a lion for refusing to strike a fellow prophet as commanded by God. It was an object lesson for Ahab for putting his personal convictions ahead of God’s. He thought giving mercy was better than God’s justice. And for that, the crown was taken away from him.

It is God’s rule above all. His mercy above ours, His love above ours. Many were offended by Shamcey’s insisting her faith on someone (although it shouldn’t be out of love for her). But reflecting on Elijah’s fight against the Baal prophets, God was not calling Israel to respect other beliefs. He wants us to act in obedience and declare there is only ONE God. He is the jealous One who demands man's exclusive devotion, like a husband who has every right and reason for his wife’s full affection.  Christianity’s voice on society has long been muted because of crown-compromises. We’d rather win than win them over. We easily let go for respect’s sake. Jesus didn’t. The crown of thorns was proof to that.

Not The Lazy Song

1 Kings 19:19

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

One time last summer,  I called my sister through her cp and although she wasn’t answering, I kept redialing. Her ringback tone was what caught me. The reggae feel was so in-season and true to its title, t’was ‘The Lazy Song’. Ironically, it was from the half-Pinoy Bruno Mars who worked his way up to hitting the charts. He was first known as a ‘co-writer with’, a ‘back up to’, and a ‘guest artist in’ before landing solo. I may not recommend all his lyrics to teens today (funny because calls his EP ‘It’s Better If You Don’t Understand’), but his diligence is worth notetaking.  Mars describes his time behind the scenes as important to his development as an artist. That, like his music, is refreshing to hear :>

Elisha’s name came as a fresh wind to Elijah. He was an answer to his prayer for hope and help. Coming down from Mount Horeb, his thoughts were filled with much anticipation for this man. Finally, someone to talk to and share burdens with! He found him plowing the field with twelve yoke of oxen and he himself driving the twelfth pair. Elisha knew him at once. Who would not? He was top one on Jezebel’s wanted list. But who’s Elisha? Elijah saw that he was his exact opposite. Elisha lives in a dance village, has a land of his own, and has supportive parents. Compare that to his wilderness lifestyle. There was nothing outward for them to break the ice. So Elijah just threw his cloak around him – in obedience to God – and walked away. Emotion’s down probably. Elisha, on the other hand, was more than excited, more than willing to leave everything behind and come with him. He just asked for a time to kiss his parents goodbye. ‘Go back, what have I done to you?’ was Elijah’s reply. Quite cold huh? Or maybe he was just testing Elisha’s heart. Regardless, nothing’s stopping Elisha now. He readily burned his plowing equipment, called in people to eat with him, and was soon on his way.

Elijah could have missed it at first glance but God knew Elisha was the right man. He may not have the looks of an itinerant missionary, but he sure has the passion and the diligence for His purposes. The desire to serve could have been long burning in his heart, but wisdom taught him patience and faith. He was first found faithful in the own field, loving to his family, and thoughtful to his neighbors. In God’s perfect time, he called him for the second phase.  He will be Elijah’s attendant – pouring water to his hands – for another ten years! Misplaced? Is that what’s stopping us from doing our best now? Do years of waiting or menial jobs disappoint us? Will zero encouragement from our superiors limit us? God is pro-process and ever-present. He doesn’t want our hearts looking farther ahead at the expense of disregarding what is at hand. Both matter. We work our way up and praise Him in every step. Now, that is music to His ears :>

Don’t Force It

1 Kings 19:12

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after a fire came a gentle whisper.

‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink’. There are really things in life we can’t force. Sleep for example. I’m not insomniac or anything, but there are those nights, especially in anticipation for a full next day, that I can’t simply find sleep. Tossing and turning for an hour is so irritating and frustrating. Experts recommend total relaxation to free the brain and muscles from tension. And if it still wouldn’t work, they say get out of bed for it might have already associated your lying down with unhappiness. In short, trick your mind. But nothing seemed to work on the eve of my wedding. ‘Til I bent my knees and prayed. Truth is, only ‘God grants sleep to those He loves’. No tricks. No pills. All grace.

Zeal. It was Elijah’s description of his ministry. Confronting the highest rulers of the land TO confining himself with ravens and a widow TO climbing Mount Carmel for a display of fire and rain. He knew he pushed his all to perform his call. Feeling hard pressed and crushed, perplexed and in despair, persecuted and abandoned, struck down and he knew what’s next – he will be destroyed. ‘I did my best, but my best wasn’t good enough’ could be his night’s song. There were no more pages in his DIY books. No more sites that Google or Wiki can open, or offer. He was drained, empty and an admitted failure. He can’t turn Israel back to God. Not via preaching. Nor by miracles. After his litany, which God sincerely listened to, Elijah was asked to stand on the mountain. Before his very eyes came the wind then the earthquake then the fire. The last one was an orchestrated dejavu to prepare his heart for God’s gentle whisper. When he heard it, only then did he cover his face with his cloak. That was God’s presence. It did calm his soul. But based on his repeated answer to God’s repeated question, he wasn’t all back yet. So since relaxation half-fixed him, God called him out of bed and gave tasks to focus on. All were his needed proof that he was not alone and his ministry's not over yet. What came as a surprise to Elijah was the remnant of 7,000 Israelites, whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, whose hearts remained devoted to God - - with or without his efforts. No wind nor earthquake, not even fire can reform hearts – nothing but God’s gentle whisper.

Serving in the kids worship ministry has been a weekly faith-stretch for me. No amount of preparation or creativity or fancy can predict what will transpire when you’re with kids. It’s another thing of course if you come in unprepared. That’s planning to fail. Last Sunday was one of those down moments – if I’d look at it my way. They were so distracted, non-participative and loud. I’ve exhausted all skills I’ve acquired in my 20 years of ministry – to no avail. I sat back, thought a lot, and felt discouraged. Quitting came as an idea too, but that I readily dismissed. Then this devotion. Guess I too was counting much on zeal and the concept that success equals big things. But with or with me - with or without wind, earthquake or fire – it is ultimately God who will make things happen, even with a just a breath of His whisper. Only His Spirit can work in the hearts of those little tots. Not by might, nor my power. There are just things in life we can’t force. I love how Larnelle Harris sang it: ‘It’s not in trying but in trusting, not in running but in resting, not in wondering but in praying, that we find the strength of the Lord’. Now, that’s a breeze :>

Dessert Break

1 Kings 19:4b-5

‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said, ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat’.

I was walking around Megamall last year when a store caught my attention: Stressed-Desserts. T’was brilliant! They sure got the nods of the overworked, unappreciated, feeling-underpaid passers-by. I don’t know with men, but ladies find sweets and pastries soothing and therapeutic. It buys us some time to step back, rethink, and reconsider things. Work is where the heat is. A breath of fresh air over baked goodies and with very good friends is a well-deserved break. We may leave a café with work issues still unresolved, but at least we found much strength to face it anew. Not bad for a hundred peso serving.

Elijah wore stress all over him in his every encounter with the king. Imagine his bucket of boldness in addressing Ahab of his sins. You would think a hundred times and sweat a thousand more doing that to your boss.  Next, he challenged Ahab and his Baal prophets to a showdown. T’was a full day waiting and all Israel watching ‘til his turn to pray. God answering with fire from heaven may have not surprised him, but it surely awed him. God’s victory called for death to the false ones. It was Elijah who led the rally. Ever killed a man? Imagine the heavy throbs of psychological exhaustion to that. Multiply to 450 and you’ll understand why soldiers need debriefing after a war. But there was no break for Elijah. His sked showed a week more of intense prayer for rain. No, he was not in his bedside doing that. He was still up in that mountain, bent down to the ground, face between his knees. Then came the rain, Three and a half years of drought meant their bodies were not accustomed to baths. And he had his while running from Carmel to Jezreel, 40kms they say. Arriving there with high hopes, he was greeted with a death threat instead, and so he ran back for his life, this time with an estimated 160km and a day. Tired, hungry, disoriented, cold rain, hot desert, fear  - - I’d cry for death halfway. The angel himself said ‘the journey is too much for you’. We’d probably expect God to comfort him with more promises or, maybe reprimand him for giving up on life.  But God’s answer? A cake of bread baked in hot coals, and a jar of water. And another after his second sleep. 

As Christians, we do sometimes spiritualize too much and push ourselves with answers when the going gets tough. We encourage each other, text relevant verses, and continue serving regardless.  Nothing wrong with that. But God is never a slave-driver. He doesn’t give us full skeds to run our lives with purposeful, no-nonsense events for His kingdom. He Himself did not require seven days in creation. He paused at the end of each day and rested on the seventh to bless it and say, ‘It was good’. Do you think it would have been ‘more perfect’ if He worked a little more on Sunday morning, or applied for overtime? Even Jesus at the end of His sermon on the mount provided food to the five thousand. He made them sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties. They all ate and were satisfied. It was  God’s way of ending a full day. Go mark your skeds for a dessert break. It should be a guiltless pleasure :>