In all my life, I think this has been the longest week. I honestly think that I have reached a point where it at least is beginning to make the final turn- not just because today is Friday and the week-END is upon us but because the issues of the week are ending their current stages. Lately I feel like I am fighting up hill at times and all alone at that. Understanding that it's the position of leadership and the challenge ever leader faces doesn't make it any easier. Yet, as always is the case for us, I find myself learning a new nugget of truth that hopefully will help me the next time I face a week similar to this.
In the Bible we read the story of Elijah where God directed him to go to a brook and stay there. He was coming out of a very tough season of ministry. In fact he had just declared to a king that there would be drought and that no rain would fall for a while. It was a tough encounter I am sure. Prophets had to have thick skin because they must have dealt with rejection all the time. So after the tough season, he was taken to a place of rest (lead me beside cool waters...he restores my soul). Some thoughts here...
THE WATERY BROOK - Served as a place of refreshing. He was free to drink of the water and find coolness in the heat of the day...wetness when his throat was dry...etc. It's about nature replenishing us. I noticed this week that I will not be able to play my round of golf. Golf is my weekly stop at the watery brook of nature. Something happens when I am out on that course fighting against myself to break into the 80's while counting every stroke (yes I count lost balls guys. For those who don't know it's 1 stroke in + 1 stroke to out. lol). We you get out on the backside of the course you find the cars are not as loud. The sounds of the city fade and are replaced by the singing of birds and the running of water in the creeks. Each week I find a spot where I spend 20 minutes or so and just listen. Doesn't matter how many people I allow to play on while I rest. It's these moments where God uses nature to restore and replenish me.
FOOD FROM RAVENS - This speaks of God provision. There are some things that I need that can only come from God. Nature in and of itself is not enough. God's spirit and his word are becoming the love of my life. I at times have to fight to get them because I allow myself to get busy but in those moments on the golf course I find that the words that I have been SOAPing all week seem to take on new meaning. I see ways to apply them that I never saw in the daily moments. It's so wonderful when God gives us nuggets of understanding and morsels of faith that strengthen the soul. The temptation of ministry is that we can get sucked into studying for series or messages. When we are there we lose the personal edification that we can experience.
Lord, forgive me for not taking the time to refresh myself this week. As I finish up today, help my efforts to be fruitful and my mind to be sharp so that I can do what I long so desperately to do - set down and the brook and feast on what you provide.
