Thoughts from the Pastor

Rest and Re-Nourish

When Jezebel threatened to kill the prophet Elijah, smart man that he was, he ran for his life.  He ran all the way to Judah, where he would be out of the irate queen’s clutches.  Still frightened, he walked yet another day’s journey into the wilderness, collapsed under a solitary broom tree, and asked God to take his life.

Have you ever been that tired?  Have you ever gone and gone and gone until you literally dropped and felt like you couldn’t go on?  If so, the next part of Elijah’s story is for you.

After an exhausted Elijah prays for God to take his life, he falls asleep. When he wakens, an angel gives him food and tells him to eat.  Elijah eats and falls asleep again.  When he wakens the next time, the angel says, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.”  Elijah eats and drinks again and then goes “in the strength of that food for 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb the mount of God.  At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.”  (I Kings 19)

I am struck by the rhythm of eating and sleeping in this text.  When Elijah was worn out, at the end of his rope, he didn’t need another meeting or another to-do list or a newer-fangled PDA.  No, he needed food, he needed rest.  Only after he rests is he ready to continue his journey.

During this summer vacation season, I hope you are finding time to rest and re-nourish yourself.  Sometimes rest is the only thing that keeps us going.  We, too, need to “rest and eat”, otherwise the journey will be too much for us.”

On the topic of resting, I’d like to thank five people who just have completed their terms of service on the Council.  Parish Life Chair, Randy Nunnally, and Clerk, Sue Wierzba both have completed two years in their positions.  Rochelle Hamby has ably completed a challenging year as President following three prior years of service on Council.  Greg Kask completes TEN years as Treasurer and Bill Dischinger finishes many, many years (he lost count at 10!) as Chair of Properties.

The dedication and service of all these folks has been admirable.  Bill and Greg’s many years of service have been especially appreciated.

Many, many thanks,

Kim