By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Kings 19:3-5 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”" - NIV
It was evident that Elijah was very tired physically and emotionally unstable at this time. The activities at Mount Carmel, the process of killing the false prophets, the prayer time for rain were all exhausting. And the running from Mt Carmel to Jezreel, then from Jezreel to Beersheba, a distance of more than 100 miles, totally wore him out. He was scared, tired and hungry too. And he slept. That’s why the angel first gave him food.
A combination of these factors distablizes thinking, makes one lose hope, and makes life lose meaning. The prayer he made indicated the state he was in. Many times we are so preoccupied with the businesses of life and God that we forget or trivialize our physical wellbeing. When emotional challenges find a tired, worn out body and mind, it can be disastrous both to the person and those around them. It’s one reason for emotional outbursts and irrational decisions people, including those least expected, make.
Jesus cared for the physical wellbeing of His disciples. When they returned from a successful mission, He took them somewhere by themselves to find rest and eat something. He himself slept in a boat despite a storm at sea because He was tired. It’s the reason God instituted the Sabbath as a commandment. However anointed, busy and talented we may be, there is need to rest our bodies and souls. Without which, we shall break down and become ineffective in service, unhelpful to our loved ones and susceptible to opportunistic demonic spirits.
Mark 6:30-32 "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place."
Shalom children of God.