Six months into 2021 we have seen, and some experienced, a level of hatred not seen since our grandparents’ generation. The COVID-19 death toll registers at least 600,000. There has been an emergence of mass shootings and other killings. Some in our society continue to grapple with daily feelings of social isolation, fear, grief, sadness, lack of liberties and freedoms. Simultaneously, there is a sense of hope since roughly half of the American population have been vaccinated and now adolescents have begun this process. Our society has “reopened” where most of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted so that we may return to indoor dining and sports entertainment. As our society continues to progress towards pre-COVID-19 standards, let us run the course that has been placed before us.
In order words, Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) indicates, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”. According to Google, a race is “a competition between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc. to see which is the fastest in covering a set course.” While the definition speaks to a competition among tangible items, there is also a competition between the spirit and the flesh.
One of the greatest biblical prophets was Elijah. He is first introduced in 1 Kings 17 where he is confronting King Ahab and proclaiming a drought in the land. Following this landmark declaration, the Lord instructs Elijah to leave his current location and head to Cherith. Cherith forced Elijah to fully trust God to supply his every need. As a result, Elijah was fed bread and water by Ravens. Following many months, the Lord spoke to Elijah and instructed him to travel to Zarephath. Once there, the Lord told Elijah that he had directed a widow to provide for his needs while there. During this biblical timeframe, widows were considered the poorest people in the land. When Elijah met this widow, she only had a little flour and oil to prepare the last meal for she and her son as they were planning to die. The widow was obedient and made Elijah a cake prior to preparing her last meal. The widow, her son, and Elijah ate for days. Some time later, the widow’s son became severely ill and died. She thought her son’s death was due to her past wrongdoings. Elijah took the son’s body to his quarters where he immediately prayed to God and performed a spiritual ritual. The Lord heard Elijah’s prayers and the widow’s son was revived.
After a total of 3 ½ years, the Lord instructed Elijah to present himself to King Ahab. Elijah was obedient and requested King Ahab convene the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah and meet him on Mount Carmel. Once on Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah confronted the people and challenged them to choose whom they will serve – the true and living God or Baal. Elijah was the lone prophet of God on the mountain. As a result, he challenged the Baal worshipers to a competition. The competition consisted of a series of rituals. The prophet Elijah would call on his God and the Baal worshippers would call on their god and the God who answers by fire is the true God. Elijah permitted the Baal worshippers to go first since they out numbered him. When the god of Baal did not answer with fire, the people began to cry at the tope of their lungs and cut themselves with knives to get the attention of their god. Then, it was Elijah’s turn to complete his rituals and sacrifices following the building of an altar. Elijah prayed to his God. Afterwards, the true and living God reigned down fire on Elijah’s alter. Those witnessing this supernatural event, specifically the 400 prophets of Asherah, began worshipping the true and living God. It was at this time that the 450 Baal worshipers were executed by the prophet Elijah. Next, Elijah traveled to the very top of Mount Carmel and bowed to the ground and instructed his servant to check the sky for clouds. At the 7th viewing of the sky, the servant witnessed a darkened sky with clouds. The drought had come to an end.
The Lord led Elijah to Jezreel. Around the same time, King Ahab explained to his wife, Jezebel, about the events on Mount Carmel. She sent a threatening message to Elijah. When the prophet Elijah heard the threat, he departed Jezreel and fled to Beersheba to escape Jezebel. There, Elijah prayed the Lord would take his life. Sometime later, an angel appeared and instructed Elijah to get up and eat. After 40 days he had gained enough strength to travel to Horeb. There the Lord visited him. The prophet Elijah communed with the Lord where he was given specific instructions regarding whom to anoint. (1 Kings 17-19 NKJV)
Finally, while life’s new normal has been challenging, you were able to make the adjustments and sacrifices to endure the past year and a half. Living a purposed driven life is equivalent to that of a race in the sense that it requires preparation and stamina. While some of us are at the starting point, others are midway and progressing, and then there are those who had to start over. Despite where you are on the spectrum of your race, keep the following in mind:
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We were all created for a specific purpose (regardless of your educational level, socioeconomic level, gender, race, how you were raised, the mistakes you made, or the things you may have said). In other words, determine your passion and pursue it. Elijah was created for the above purpose.
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It is imperative to be obedient to God’s instructions. We have all been guilty of doing things our own way. While your way may have provided some type of temporary gain, what did you have to sacrifice? Elijah would not have been able to confront King Ahab without God’s guidance and preparation.
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Know when to rest. Society tells us that if we are not working 24 hours per day/7 days per week we are failures. No one can be productive without the right amount of rest, otherwise, you are functioning on adrenaline. What if Elijah had the proper rest following his sacrificial ritual, the slaying of 450 Baal worshippers, traveling to the top of Mount Carmel, and running to Jezreel?
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If you must start over, challenge those negative thoughts that tell you, “I am a failure”, “I am not smart enough”, “I am not good enough”, or “I was not trained to do this.” Starting over allows you the opportunity to examine your progress and challenges to make the adjustments for future success. God helped Elijah with challenging his negative thought of wanting to die. Unfortunately, Elijah did not realize that God had a plan for his life post Mount Carmel.