The Weary Alternative

We all know weary. We all know that deflated and defeated feeling. So is there another way in which we can live so that we do not find ourselves in the weary wilderness?

Elijah started out right:

• He prayed.
• He rested.
• He retreated.

But God had something more that just recovery in mind for Elijah. So when we went to the mountain of God, God gave him fresh word.

The story goes on:

15 The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

God gives his prophet a recipe for restoration. He prescribed ...

1. A Change of Pace.

Elijah was caught in the rat race pace of life ... he needed to learn to slow down.

Some of you are thinking, "I can't slow down. I work. I have the house to take care of. I have classes. I have laundry. I have parents to see after. I have kids to shuttle from place-to-place? How can I slow down?

There is only one-way: you must set limits. The angel told Elijah, "... the journey is too much for you."

Simply: Elijah needed to establish some limits in his life. You do too!

2. The second thing Elijah needed - was a friend, Friend.

Do you remember that when Elijah's run to the wilderness, the first thing he did was he "left his servant"? One of the first tasks God gave Elijah to do when he left the cave we to go find Elisha. Elisha would become his servant, his friend, and his protégée. We all need people in our lives. If Elijah did, it is very likely that you do as well.

3. He needed re-discover his purpose.
As Elijah left the cave, God gave him something to do. "I want you to go to Syria and anoint a new king, then go to Israel and anoint a new king and then go and anoint Elisha to be the next prophet."

Why did God tell him to do those things? Because that's what prophets do! There is nothing more fulfilling, rewarding, and energizing than doing what you were created to do. There is nothing more draining, exhausting, and frustrating than to miss that!

Do you hope to discover a weary alternative? Then learn from the weary prophet: consider an appropriate change of pace, invest in healthy relationships, and return to your calling.

When you do that, you'll discover that the heavenly Father will renew your strength.

Isaiah put it like this: Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up w/ wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

We may need a change of pace. We may need friends to walk beside us. But more than anything else, we need to learn to lean and rely upon our heavenly father who gives us strength for the journey.

Watch the following video. It is a beautiful picture of a how a Father carries his wounded child to the finish. Did you ever think God might do this for you?

1992 DEREK REDMOND AND THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT (DAD HELPS HIM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE)