Scaary!
A reading for Monday, October 31, 2016: 1 Kings 19:11-18.
In the ancient world, the time of Elijah, the scariest thing that could happen to you was that God would suddenly show up. The power of God was to be feared. Remember even Moses had his hair turned white by his encounter with the creator of the universe.
“Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” The message to Elijah would have sent cold shivers up his spine. Surely not... he was all alone in the cave. His fear was only confirmed by the earthquake and the fire. The awesome power of God was on display and it wasn't pretty. It was scaary! Elijah hid his face.
But then God comes to Elijah in a different way. The awesome power of God can also whisper gently, as One asking “What are you doing here, Elijah?” The Almighty reaches down to Elijah with a kind word and careful instructions to Elijah, his prophet and servant. Go and I will be with you Elijah...
Many generations later, God would reach down again in Jesus Christ our Lord. God would save us, and on the day of the cross there was again an earthquake and even the campfires around which the disciples gathered in fear. It was a very scaary time for all!
And yet... God still whispers to you and to me, gently and with kindness. "What are you doing here?" We have the chance each and everyday to answer with our discipleship and our love.
It's Halloween, the official day of the year for scaary! How blessed we are that there is nothing really to fear. Our God is with us! Amen!
In the ancient world, the time of Elijah, the scariest thing that could happen to you was that God would suddenly show up. The power of God was to be feared. Remember even Moses had his hair turned white by his encounter with the creator of the universe.
“Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” The message to Elijah would have sent cold shivers up his spine. Surely not... he was all alone in the cave. His fear was only confirmed by the earthquake and the fire. The awesome power of God was on display and it wasn't pretty. It was scaary! Elijah hid his face.
But then God comes to Elijah in a different way. The awesome power of God can also whisper gently, as One asking “What are you doing here, Elijah?” The Almighty reaches down to Elijah with a kind word and careful instructions to Elijah, his prophet and servant. Go and I will be with you Elijah...
Many generations later, God would reach down again in Jesus Christ our Lord. God would save us, and on the day of the cross there was again an earthquake and even the campfires around which the disciples gathered in fear. It was a very scaary time for all!
And yet... God still whispers to you and to me, gently and with kindness. "What are you doing here?" We have the chance each and everyday to answer with our discipleship and our love.
It's Halloween, the official day of the year for scaary! How blessed we are that there is nothing really to fear. Our God is with us! Amen!
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