Do you ever find yourself caught up in the desire to do great things for God? Does your heart long to make a difference? To do something more, something bigger? Often my own idea of embracing selflessness does not include things like scrubbing toilets, picking up toys, or dredging through a sink full of dirty dishes. I'd rather be penning the next New York Times bestseller, or encouraging thousands on a successful blog, or writing for a well-known women's ministry. If I'm truthful with myself, I'd have to admit that sometimes my grasps for greatness can blind me to the little things.
The prophet Elijah did great things for God. His ministry culminated in a mountaintop showdown between himself and nearly one thousand prophets of Baal. In a spectacular display of power, the Lord consumed Elijah's sacrifice with fire from heaven, causing the crowd to erupt with shouts of, "The Lord—He is God!" Even after this miraculous exhibition, Elijah further proves the Lord's authority by proclaiming the end of a three-year drought on the land.
But rather than turning the tides, all of Elijah's exhausting, stressful work seemed to accomplish nothing. The nation remained unchanged and the wicked Queen Jezebel threatened his life, causing Elijah to flee to the desert in fear. Upon examining the apparent failure of his work, Elijah—discouraged and depressed—prayed to the Lord to take his life, claiming he was "no better than his ancestors". It seems somewhere in the midst of all the miracles and prophecies, Elijah lost himself. He lost touch with his personal experience of God.
In 1 Kings 19:10, we hear Elijah's impassioned cry to the Lord, "I've done all this work for you, God, and look where it's got me!" What happens next serves as a lesson not only for the despairing prophet, but for us today: Elijah experienced the presence of the Lord not in a torrential wind, nor in a ground-shattering earthquake, nor in a raging fire, but in the dead calm following the uproar. "And after the fire came a gentle whisper (v.12)..."
Experiencing the presence of God unburdened Elijah's heavy heart (v.14), and he found hope for the future (v.15-17). But the greatest encouragement came when God told him, "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him (v.18)." Elijah realized that, although the showdown on Mt. Carmel had failed to inspire a nation-wide return to the Lord, the little things he had done faithfully prospered greatly.
So as we continue in Christ, embracing the life of selflessness He modeled for us, let us not forget the little things! Let's be faithful as we parent our children, love our spouses, keep our homes, steward our money, work our jobs, and serve our church. And may we be attentive to the still, small voice—seeking to hear the hushed whispers of the Lord's heart in our day-to-day lives.
Reflection Questions
- If you could do something great for God, what would it be?
- What are some of the little things God is asking you to be faithful in right now?
- Experiencing God's presence helps us find encouragement, remain hopeful, and unburden our hearts in discouraging times. How can we better balance our "doing for God" with our "experiencing God"?