June 16: Summer Exercise

1 Kings 15:25-17:24

Acts 10:23b-48

Psalm 134:1-3

Proverbs 17:9-11

I read the story of Elijah and am amazed at the sufficiency of God's provision in times of need, and how it is premised on obedience.  God instructed Elijah clearly - get out of here, hang a right and hide in this ravine - I have sent water, and have instructed ravens to meet you there with enough food.  And while one would think Elijah was already in a good place, God lets the brook dry up, so He can then keep Elijah going - this time to a widow expecting to die, together with her son.  When Elijah gets there, she, too, is obedient - she hears a stranger ask for food, looks at the last of her flour and oil - and decides to trust in the stranger's words...and in their collective obedience God provides them with enough food to last through the drought and famine.  Even more, God listens to Elijah's prayer and restores the boy to life, and to his mother, when he falls ill and dies.

It's easy to think of how wonderful it was God provided for them.  But I cannot help but imagine the fear, the worry amidst the uncertainty of their next meal.  I mean, seriously - ravens?  And an empty jar of flour, and an empty jug of oil?  The only way one survives the famine ulcer-free is if one is able to look past the ravens, the jar and the jug, the bread, the meat, the flour and the oil, past the gifts, to see the Giver.  And I have to tell you, speaking for myself, that is still so very difficult, no matter how often God has come through.  It is difficult to hear His word, and recognize His voice.  

How then to learn to recognize Him and His guidance, the way Elijah did, the way Peter did when God instructed him about Cornelius?  Pastor Scott talked about it yesterday, when he preached on staying connected to God through the summer doldrums, and he cites Elijah's experience from readings later on this week.  To build the spiritual hearing muscle, we need to stay healthy enough to hear Him, to slow down the pace of our lives and filter out the distractions, and listen for His word (or read His word)...and when we hear, go and do what He asks.  Summer is a wonderful time to be out and active.  I hope to not only exercise my physical muscles, but my spiritual hearing muscles as well.