Elijah's Rest

The summer is just about here. This weekend kicks off the unofficial start to the time most of us seek vacation and rest. I was asked to submit another article for The Voice on how to stay connected with God during times of rest. The truth is I don't think we can connect with God without rest...but that would have been a way longer article.

“I’ve had enough, Lord.” These are the words of an exhausted and drained man tired from his work. He needed a break, and God led Elijah to a cave and gave him just what he needed; rest. 1 Kings 19 tells us the story of Elijah’s rest. He had just come from a spiritual showdown with false prophets and put on a demonstration of God’s miraculous power, but now he’s on the run for his life. God led him to a cave to lie down and sleep, get up to eat, and lie back down to sleep again. God’s provision for Elijah was rest.

What can we learn from Elijah’s rest that will help us connect with God while we rest this summer? Let’s be honest, going “down the ocean” doesn’t equal rest. Rest is a discipline. First, Elijah stands in the presence of God. This summer while getting away, find a place in the presence of God. Secondly, reflect on the truly important events of your life and peel away all the non-important, temporary things. Elijah had to look past the wind, earthquake, and fire to get to what was important. Finally, listen for the voice of God. Elijah found it in a “gentle whisper”. What is God whispering to you?

--Ben