“At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there” (1 Kings 19:9).
When a person has been in ministry for a time, he or she understands there are seasons to the work. There are seasons when ministry is joy and harvest. There are seasons of struggle and anxiety. Sometimes there are seasons of despair, also.
This episode in the life of Elijah finds the prophet in a dejected state, running from the evil queen Jezebel and fleeing into the wilderness of Horeb. Near the holy mountain, Elijah finds himself in a cave. This location is more than geographical. It is metaphorical and emotional. Elijah is depressed. He is anxious for his life, fearful. He is uncertain of God’s favor, unwilling to carry forward in the ministry God has given him.
However, this episode is indicative of our lives, too. We all go through these seasons of despair. There are times when ministry can get the best of us, especially in youth ministry. The attitudes, the parents, the struggle for funding, as well as staff animosities and stresses or family situations all can combine to get us down and cause us to retreat to the cave.
Elijah learned that God comes, however, in the stillness after the fire, the earthquake and the wind. God is always present, especially when we don’t have the big signs.
Consider your place in ministry now. What would you need from God in your season of anxiety or despair? What stillness do you need to find? Is there are place you can go to refresh and renew your spirit?
