1 Kings 19:1-15

Pentecost +4 - Year C

1 Kings 19:1-15

Just two chapters ago (17:2-4) G*D's presence led Elijah forth to Wadi Cherith, there to be fed by ravens, and mere verses later to be fed for a long time by a widow who only had a handful of flour left (miracle upon miracle). Now Elijah runs away on his own, only to be fed by angels. This raises questions in our own life about how long ago we experienced being fed and what our expectation is about a next feeding. (This question is real for all aspects of our self - body, mind, spirit, relationships. . . .]

It is so easy to forget the blessings that have brought us to a testing moment. So it is that Elijah despairs so much that he could only sleep his life away and couldn't eat. Again Elijah is sustained, this time by angels (just ravens with another spelling?)

It is so easy to exaggerate one's troubles of the moment and to lose perspective. Sometimes it takes quite awhile (40 days plus) and quite a distance (as much as 600 to 1,000 walking miles, depending on terrain) to regather perspective.

Finally comes a bottom-line question: "What are you doing where you are?"

When we hear our poor excuse of a response, a click of recognition can comes -- "I am not alone. I have a life to live and a task to accomplish." Simple statements; both. And so we go forth to lay the groundwork for a next generation. Whether they are able to prepare for the next after them, is beside the point. Our call is ours.

We have gotten ourselves and one another in another fine mess (think Laurel and Hardy). There may be nothing more to do than to find one other to mentor to better health than we have that they might be ready to carry on. To keep our soul alive we give it to another that they might do what we cannot.