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 :>

Sustain That Note

1 Kings 13:18

The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.'" (But he was lying to him.)

Controlled breathing is so important to singers. In sustaining a good tone, they need to achieve the perfect balance of holding back while letting go. Sounds crazy. But so difficult too. I wish singing would just be blurt outs and staccatos.  Maybe, I'd pass with that, haha :> But  my muscles are so lazy to hang on. You wouldn’t believe I signed up for Voice as my minor in the College of Music. In the middle of the semester, my teacher advised me to consider switching to flute. I didn’t. That needs a lot of air too, haha. I managed to finish the semester, and the next, and then I pulled myself out of that school. For a different reason though.

Here’s the second part of the story about that man of God. We now find him under an oak tree, possibly worn and famished. The encounter with the king was more than stressful and the idea of a long walk back home – without food and water - was unimaginable. Then an old prophet arrived with an invitation to dine at his home. God’s order was still clear to him at this time and so he refused. But the old man was persistent. Suggesting food to a hungry man makes him hungrier, right? Mentioning it again, that will make him drool. The man of God is now very vulnerable. Flesh is now taking over his spirit. The old prophet completed his goal when he tapped his mind, his will. He lied that an angel sent him. Coming from an old prophet, that’s quite believable. With no further inquiries and confirmations, he dropped his defenses and took the offer. He was halfway the finish line. He may have accomplished the bulk of the assignment in Bethel, but it was not yet over ‘til he’s home. The old prophet bothers me too. How could he, at his final lap of ministry, deceive his co-worker and cause his destruction?

When God calls us to a faithful and steadfast commitment, it means He expects us to be unwavering, persevering, and fixed ‘til the end. It’s sad that even after being used by God mightily in Egypt and in crossing the Red sea, plus enduring the company of thousand of complainers, Moses would not be allowed to enter the Promise Land because he once angrily struck the rock and dishonored God. Yes, just one unguarded moment. Just one meal for Esau and this man of God. Just one lie for the old prophet. We sure have vulnerable times. Thorns in the flesh. But we also have a God who promised grace sufficient and strength perfect in weakness. Hide His Word in your heart. He never contradicts His own assignment. Sustain that note. Don’t ever let go.

A Soldier’s Call

1 Kings 13:1

By the word of the LORD a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering.

My husband recently browsed through Discovery Channel’s World Ward 2 series in full color. He said it was amusing to watch war documentaries like it happened just a few years past. I sat down with him one night, and although I prefer war dramas than the narrative clips, I’d say they did a good job in making this part of our history come alive. What caught my thoughts was the sight of so many soldiers, lined up, marching, and ready to receive orders - - difficult orders. Whether forcibly recruited or at will,  the call was towards all dangers and even death. They were soldiers of their nation. ‘Twas their identity, not their names nor their faces. And once dropped in the field, there was no turning back.

A man of God was called from out of Judah to deliver a hard message to Israel’s king up north. It was a difficult, dangerous call. Possibly on foot, he traveled towards the high place in Bethel. Add to the perilous journey was the order to not eat or drink anything while he’s there.  As if on cue, he arrives while Jeroboam, not a priest, was burning incense at the altar. If it was me, I think this part was the most difficult. Shall I do a bit of coughing at least, or look around for an easy face for some rapport? This is the king and this is his homecourt! But the man was direct. And God merciful. The message of destruction was for the altar. The sin. God was opening a door for Israel to repent of this idolatry. Next  scenes were action-packed: Jeroboam stretched out his hand with orders to seize the man; instantly his hand became paralyzed in that position; he asked the man to intercede for his healing; the man prayed; the hand was restored; the king invited the man to eat with him; the man refused and left.  Just in case you missed two difficult struggles there, let me zoom in again: (1) praying for someone who seconds ago threatened to harm him, and (2) saying No to dining with the king when his tummy was shouting a big YES. That forgiveness was not mentioned in his sign up sheet. Food looks trivial compared to the big message already delivered. But the man of God faithfully kept his call, even exceeded his JD. At least up to verse 10. We don’t know his name, but we know who he works for. He was a good soldier.

It’s a delight reading verses about love, blessings, joy, promise, hope, rewards. It makes life sun shiny-ish and warm and singable. I have a good friend who recently asked for prayers in deciding whether or not to accept a humongous job. God gave her Isaiah 51:3 ‘The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD..’ Comfort, compassion, Eden and garden all looks appealing. But note that achieving those means working alongside words like ruins, deserts, wastelands. Quite a call for second thoughts right? Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul - - big names with big achievements for God. But we’re they called for comfortable tasks? Was the end goal for their comforts either? Life is hard because we’re against the world’s high walls of sin. Doing right means going against that flow. That’s our call. To stand up for what is God’s, even if it means standing up alone. Our identity now is in Christ, not our names nor you faces. We’re His soldiers now.

Not About Me

1 Kings 11:31-32

“Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe.”

Last week, I received a text invitation asking me to consider leading a certain ministry. It came as a surprise because I still consider myself new to this place and because I know it’s a filled-up position. I was informed that unmet expectation was the reason for the vacant post. That was sad. Sadder because I know that person and for a time I was under her. The relationship will sure go through some awkward moments if I’ll say yes.  ‘Oh Lord, is this really your call? Why me?’ My mind readily listed my personal vision and theirs; my can-dos and the possible work scope; my existing roles and this added responsibility, to see if all will match and not run in conflict. On the side, of course, I considered my personal preference. Then I realized - - all my questions were all about me.

With ‘Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon’ as heading, I was expecting to find him like Hadad and Rezon, who, although we’re raised up by God to become adversaries, were men with personal hatred towards the king. I was surprised that the call came to him while he was faithfully attending to his duties. He was known to be a diligent and excellent worker. Solomon saw that and put him incharge of the whole labor force of Joseph’s house. Some commentaries believe he had his eyes on the throne, but still, it wasn’t ambition that will pave his way up there. He was just one day going out of Jerusalem when Ahijah met him on the way, tore a new cloak into twelve pieces before him and handed him ten. The prophet explained it was God tearing the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand because of his disobedience, but for the sake of David and Jerusalem, two tribes will be kept for that lineage, while the bigger ten will be under Jeroboam. ‘Because of Solomon and for the sake of David’ were God’s reasons. We see no ‘because of Jeroboam’s credentials or character’ or grand plan like ‘I will make you great’. Although God promised He will build him a dynasty as enduring as David’s if he will walk uprightly. But it’s more like a reward after a job well done. His call was not in a silver platter. He will be called rebel before he can take the throne. He will go against the one who once gave him the promotion. His rule will be marked with Israel’s division. Not so glittering job opening right?

We sometimes have that concept that we’re like a central object and all else revolves around us. We see God as having a personal plan for us and our future, and it will be the best ever... for us. We consider a course, a job, a relationship, on the condition that it will lead to our advancement or greater gain. Max Lucado in one of his books compared that to the primitive idea of seeing the earth, instead of the sun, as the center of the solar system. But we have the truth now. God is the reason and purpose for everything. Jeremiah 29:11 is God’s plan of bringing His people back to a relationship with him. That is the hope and the future. Not some retirement insurance. Delighting yourself in Him is finding Him as the sole fulfillment of your desires. He is the blessing, not His gifts. I will say yes to that work invitation if He confirms it, despite of possible relational issues, leaving aside work comfortability, and regardless of personal preferences. His will is the main thing. I remember my violent reaction when I came across God’s comfort with the purpose of making us comforters. I was then passing through a dark valley and the thought that I’m enduring it all for the sake of another made me cry ‘unfair’. It clouded the beautiful truth of receiving His firsthand comfort. Add to that the privilege of working with equals being with Him.  I like how The Message wrote Psalm 84:10,11: ‘One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.’ How can I forget? It’s just not about me :>