Replenished
“When life tears us apart, we can trust that God is still there, He’s still in control, and He can still use us if we’re willing to listen for His gentle whisper.”
1 Kings 19: 9b-18 (ESV)
And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Reflection
Chances are, if you’ve ever enjoyed a Hershey’s™ candy bar, you’ve invested in the enterprise of one of my favorite world-changers: Milton S. Hershey. By his mid-twenties, Hershey had two business failures to his name and was in default with all his creditors.[1] That didn’t stop Hershey, however, for he was a man of faith and great vision. He continued on and eventually mastered and marketed America’s favorite chocolate brand, making millions of dollars during the Great Depression.
In 1915, however, Hershey lost his love and wife, Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. Although heartbroken from losing Kitty and their dream of a big family, Hershey went on to live faithfully and give outrageously. One of the ways he was generous was by founding the Milton Hershey School and orphanage which still exists in Pennsylvania today, over one hundred years after it was established. Incredibly, the school is still operating from the money granted by Milton Hershey through his estate’s trust.
Even though Hershey deeply grieved Kitty the rest of his life, God was still able to use him. As a result, the second and third-order effects of Hershey’s generosity and ingenuity are still impacting lives today.
Reflecting on today’s world-changer, Elijah, we see a similar sine wave of success and despair. Elijah had just experienced an enormous victory on Mount Carmel where he had been instrumental in a historical demonstration of God’s power. Even still, the Queen of Israel, furious at the loss on Mount Carmel, ordered Elijah’s death – and so Elijah ran, Elijah was afraid, and Elijah doubted.
The book of 1 Kings documents a conversation between God and Elijah that offers an intimate look at God’s character. God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” Elijah responds that he is afraid for his life, but God uses this opportunity to show His patience and power to Elijah in four different ways: wind, force, fire, and a “gentle whisper” (verse 12). It’s during this conversation that God tells Elijah He still has work for Elijah to do!
God is not surprised or angry at our confusion, our fear, or our emotions. In fact, God is famous for showing up when we are at the end of ourselves. He assures us that He is not done with us and that He still has a plan and a purpose for our lives. When life tears us apart, we can trust that God is still there, He’s still in control, and He can still use us if we’re willing to listen for His gentle whisper.
[1] Buckley, James, and Who Hq. 2015. Who Was Milton Hershey? New York, NY: G P Putnam’s Sons.
Action Steps
Prayer
Father, my patient Creator, thank You for consistently showing up and offering me hope and purpose. It is easy, at times, to be overwhelmed with life’s ups and downs. Please help me to run to You every day for Your gentle whisper. Help me to remember that Your power always manifests itself in the perfect way at the perfect time. Be with me as I face the challenges of this day. It’s in Your perfect name I ask these things. Amen.
And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Reflection
Chances are, if you’ve ever enjoyed a Hershey’s™ candy bar, you’ve invested in the enterprise of one of my favorite world-changers: Milton S. Hershey. By his mid-twenties, Hershey had two business failures to his name and was in default with all his creditors.[1] That didn’t stop Hershey, however, for he was a man of faith and great vision. He continued on and eventually mastered and marketed America’s favorite chocolate brand, making millions of dollars during the Great Depression.
In 1915, however, Hershey lost his love and wife, Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. Although heartbroken from losing Kitty and their dream of a big family, Hershey went on to live faithfully and give outrageously. One of the ways he was generous was by founding the Milton Hershey School and orphanage which still exists in Pennsylvania today, over one hundred years after it was established. Incredibly, the school is still operating from the money granted by Milton Hershey through his estate’s trust.
Even though Hershey deeply grieved Kitty the rest of his life, God was still able to use him. As a result, the second and third-order effects of Hershey’s generosity and ingenuity are still impacting lives today.
Reflecting on today’s world-changer, Elijah, we see a similar sine wave of success and despair. Elijah had just experienced an enormous victory on Mount Carmel where he had been instrumental in a historical demonstration of God’s power. Even still, the Queen of Israel, furious at the loss on Mount Carmel, ordered Elijah’s death – and so Elijah ran, Elijah was afraid, and Elijah doubted.
The book of 1 Kings documents a conversation between God and Elijah that offers an intimate look at God’s character. God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” Elijah responds that he is afraid for his life, but God uses this opportunity to show His patience and power to Elijah in four different ways: wind, force, fire, and a “gentle whisper” (verse 12). It’s during this conversation that God tells Elijah He still has work for Elijah to do!
God is not surprised or angry at our confusion, our fear, or our emotions. In fact, God is famous for showing up when we are at the end of ourselves. He assures us that He is not done with us and that He still has a plan and a purpose for our lives. When life tears us apart, we can trust that God is still there, He’s still in control, and He can still use us if we’re willing to listen for His gentle whisper.
[1] Buckley, James, and Who Hq. 2015. Who Was Milton Hershey? New York, NY: G P Putnam’s Sons.
Action Steps
- Take a moment to write down three things you believe you are very good at doing. Have you considered using those things, talents, or skills for God? God can use even the smallest things for His glory when we offer it to Him.
- Have you ever questioned your purpose or felt doubt about what God was doing in your life? If so, that’s OK! Just like Elijah, God wants to hear about where you are and why you are there. Take a few minutes and talk with God about where you are in your life and ask God where He wants to lead you.
Prayer
Father, my patient Creator, thank You for consistently showing up and offering me hope and purpose. It is easy, at times, to be overwhelmed with life’s ups and downs. Please help me to run to You every day for Your gentle whisper. Help me to remember that Your power always manifests itself in the perfect way at the perfect time. Be with me as I face the challenges of this day. It’s in Your perfect name I ask these things. Amen.
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