1 Kings 19:9-18
It was a cold Saturday in Minneapolis when Jake and I ran the car out of gas. We were too focused on being goofy and celebrating a fun day celebrating the upcoming holidays. We eventually made it to the mall and had a good laugh at the end. The results weren’t so funny though when I ran out of spiritual energy while pastoring in Ohio and let spiritual exhaustion turn into burnout which turned into depression and a 6-month journey of recovery. This is far more common than we want to believe and is even modeled by Elijah. Elijah had just experienced his biggest victory over Baal’s prophets on Mt. Carmel, but was on the run from Jezebel, the evil queen of Israel. She was seeking to kill him and he had run out of energy, putting him in his lowest valley.
Elijah had gotten to the point of asking God to end his life because of complete spiritual exhaustion. The sleep helped the physical needs, but Elijah was still totally burnt out. His tank was empty; he had nothing left. He needed to refill his spiritual energy or disaster would be next. Elijah’s difficult journey shows us that spiritual energy is vitally important and can only be found in God.
God is the Source of Spiritual Energy
Some of you have noticed that I look tired – there’s lots going on and while it’s all good, I need to make sure it doesn’t turn towards burnout. Like Elijah, we push and push and push without seeking an energy refill. That becomes burnout. As a result to burnout, volunteering dropped among church members nationally from 40% in ’20 to 20% in ’22 (faithandleadership.com). Some might suggest getting a good night’s sleep, but here’s the point – Elijah was still depressed after the nap God gave him. Physical recharging is NOT the same as spiritual recharging. Sleep, a good book, and a less weary schedule are all good things, but spiritual recharging is different. That comes from God in the gentle, consistent and continual connection of relationship. We must be hearing AND responding to His whisper. This is best and most consistently found through spiritual disciplines like scripture reading, prayer, journaling, gathering, and work!
Work itself is part of our spiritual rest. During the second day of the Pioneer Festival, I was exhausted but found energy while picking up trash in a quiet moment with God. Jesus said it Himself (Matt 11:28). When we yoke with God, our work doesn’t take as much from us: 1) because we have God’s help, and 2) because we are then at His work, which is where He wants us and will fulfill us. Elijah had a choice – he could continue to run from Jezebel (probably on his own) or he could accept God’s next task. Elijah’s obedience was key to his recharging because instead of doing his own thing and hoping God was with him, he went to where he knew God would be – anointing the next set of kings and appointing Elisha as prophet. Was there risk Jezebel would catch up to him? Sure! Common sense would certainly point to staying on the run, but a good plan without God is still the wrong plan and therefore not going to be beneficial. Elijah couldn’t worry about what might happen, which is why this section finishes with a unique promise from God: that 7000 who didn’t bend the knee to Baal is kept safe.
God is Responsible for the Outcomes
Elijah played a huge role that day on Mt Carmel, but God is still responsible for how it turns out. Elijah isn’t to worry or focus about how it will all turn out, only that he has a job to do. God has already determined the outcome. Focusing on the results of our work can be a nasty and quick killer to our spiritual energy. New college coaches cannot turn around a program in 1 year. It takes a few to bring in new players and install a new system. If you judged yourself on your first game, nobody would ever want to coach again.
Instead, rest in God’s responsibility. God’s plans don’t fail. John 6:1-14, Jesus feeding 5000 – He already knew His plan and its success, it was done for the benefit of His disciples. Having them go on that journey was for their spiritual benefit. They had to do the work, but God provided the results. If we live inside that circle, we will find repeated success (regardless of what happens). He already has the end laid out and is perfectly putting everything together. Simply trust and obey; God is responsible for the outcomes.
Next Steps
If you try to live as a Christian under your own power, you will run out of gas – that’s a promise. God’s journey for you is set up to be a fulfilling, energizing, and enriching experience, but only IF we find our energy in Him. Without that, you’re dead in the water.
- Seek spiritual rest through the consistent disciplines of prayer, study, and communion with God and His family of believers.
- Discern where God is active and join in what He is doing.
- Let go of the responsibility to succeed. Simply trust and obey.
We don’t run out of gas because He pushes us too far. Only on His journey is there hope of sustaining through to the end. He is our source of energy – seek Him and let the rest be given to you!
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