It’s always easier to reach in to where our secrets lie, instead of reaching out to expose our pride. It’s always easier to hide away, instead of give away what has been gnawing at our hearts for so long. Reaching in means looking through the leftovers, reaching out means reaching out to something new and unknown.
Why are leftovers so more appealing? Second day pizza is still good sometimes isn’t?
Elijah was in the process of reaching in…yet God gave him a reason to reach out…and eventually reach up to grasp what God had in store for him….take a look…
“So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there…” – 1 Kings 19:2-3 –
When Elijah reached into his heart instead of to God he confused definitions. Jezebels “con artist claims” for a god made Elijah forget the clear strength of the One true God he served. We cannot confuse where our strength comes from. Physical strength is not a source that reaches towards our weakest parts…only God can do that.
Elijah was more afraid about the empty words from Jezebel, than God’s strong promises. Confusing definitions can make us confused about what’s being defined. If God is what is being defined we can’t put the definition of weakness underneath Him.
“while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” – verses 4 & 5-
The state of having nothing left, is where you realize that you actually had everything you ever needed. The very bush that Elijah was sleeping under was provided by God, and the very words he said to bash God was a gift God gave to humankind long ago. My, how many times one can use what God has given us as a gift…and turn it into a weakness.
Elijah was in a state we have all been to. The state of fear overcoming our faith. Fear making us close our eyes to what God has in store. Elijah left God with those words…”Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors…”, but he was awakened by refreshed hope….
“All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” – verse 6-
This verse is proof that God is not effected by fear, but He cares about the way it effects us. Fear ate up Elijah to the very core his life was based on. when God becomes our base, fear becomes a failed asset. “Get up and eat” was what God needed Elijah to do while God worked out the rest. Reach out to God for help.
Reaching in will only stir up old emotions, reaching out to God will stir up faith in Him.
The fingers on my hands could not add up to the many times I have “reached in” instead of “out”. When you get out of the shower and then turn the water off…staying in the shower is always warmer than getting out. Yet, when Jesus died on the cross He reached out and extended His arms across the radius of the wood. Even before His death on the cross He REACHED OUT and took the cup…
“saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” – Luke 22:42 –
In doing so He was reminded of the bigger purpose amidst such pain….eternal life for all of us. How will you reach out today?
With Christ like bubbling love,
Julia
24juliamay.wordpress.com 