PrintElijah Re-visited (4)
For one last time I want to visit the story of Elijah. For me, the story of Elijah is the story of a journey from one mountain to another – a journey that took him through a desert experience. Mount Carmel is where God does the spectacular. Mount Sinai is where God is found in the still small voice - the gentle whisper.
In taking Elijah back to Mount Sinai, God is taking him back to the birthplace of the nation. This is where the Ten Commandments were given. This is where the covenant was established between God and His people. The rag tag group of people that Moses led out of Egypt arrived at Mount Sinai as a diverse group of refugees. They departed from that mountain a nation united by the Covenant with Yahweh. Mount Sinai represented the very foundations of the faith of this new nation.
In taking Elijah back to this mountain, God was taking him back to the very roots of his faith. Back to the basics, if you like. Sometimes it does us good to go back to basics; back to where it all began for us. This is the place where we experience spiritual renewal. The very heart of spiritual renewal is a fresh revelation of the reality and presence of the living God. It is NOT another project, another programme or a new agenda. It is not even a repeat of Mount Carmel. Spiritual renewal takes place when I encounter God in a way that I have not known Him before. Most often this renewal involves a desert experience.
I recall that one of my favourite verses when I was involved in full time pastoral ministry was Mark 6:31
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he [Jesus] said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
It might just be that the desert place is a precious gift from my Heavenly Father, one to be welcomed and embraced rather than feared or shunned.
