What Are You Doing Here?

If you have read any of my writings, you probably know by now that I am a glass-half-full, optimistic child of God. I am generally happy, and I try to search out the good in bad situations. Although this is true, I want you to know that in my writings of finding joy and being the light, these things can be hard for me too. Even in the eyes of my optimistic self, I have to choose to make these things my priority when I simply do not want to…

Today was going to be the first Monday since the beginning of January that I was not going to write……I had nothing. My cup is feeling empty, my body and mind are tired, and I feel a little sad. When I made up my mind not to write, God whispered, “this is a perfect time to practice what you preach.” God reminded me that even when I want to hide and not do the things he asks of me, I have to keep going with endurance for the race set out before me. In the book of 1 Kings chapter 19 is the story of Elijah who felt overwhelmed by the people’s actions, was fearful for his life, and decided to run and hide in a cave. I love that the Lord came to him and said, “Elijah! What are you doing here?” Oh how I can relate to this story and hear the Father ask us the same question, “what are you doing here?” 

I have developed a wonderful relationship with my closet, and even though there is good that happens in my closet, sometimes it just feels easier and safer to be there instead of dealing with the things that God asks me to do. Sometimes I want to hide from the pressure and busyness of it all, but then God reminds in His gentle way to come out of the cave and go do the things He has called us to do. Before leaving the cave/closet, it is always a good idea to ask ourselves why we feel like our wells of living water are not spewing out and why a desire to hide is in our thoughts. Today, I ask God to renew my weary spirit. Today, I am going to find time to rest, to read and make a priority to seek the only thing that can fill this empty tank. I am asking God to replenish my weary body so I can be a temple of the Holy Spirit that is pleasing to the Lord.

Going back to the story of Elijah, God knew Elijah was on a journey to hiding, and instead of stopping him before He reached the cave, He sent an angel to give him food and water. God cared for Elijah so much that He knew that he needed a little time to hide, he needed to find a place to “just be” for a moment and God supported that on his journey to hiding and protected him by “refueling” his weary body. Once he spent the night in the cave, verse 11 says, 

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

“what are you doing here?” Today, we must listen to the Lord say these five words to us and respond in our heart. Let us allow the Lord in His gentle way to replenish us, pick ourselves back up, dust off, and come out of hiding to the world that greatly needs us. You can do this and I can too.

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Jeremiah 31:25