Sometimes it's good to reach the end of your rope.
That's when you pray honestly without any pretence. You pray out of need.
The prophet Elijah did just that after fleeing Queen Jezebel who threatened to kill him after his victory over the prophets of Baal.
Ruth Haley Barton uses the example of Elijah in her book Invitation to Solitude and Silence to talk about the transforming power of God when you come before God alone in silence, stripped of all illusions.
She picks up Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19 after Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him following his victory over the prophets of Baal.
As I mentioned in my last post, Elijah collapsed under a broom tree in the wilderness, told God he'd had enough and asked God to take his life. But God let him sleep, sent an angel to feed him and then the prophet walked for 40 more days to Mount Sinai.
There, God asked him the great question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Ruth Haley Barton says this is what God is often asking us. It's a question that catches our attention and forces us to examine ourselves and our motives.
Elijah answered that question by being totally honest. He poured out his frustrations. He told God that he was the only one of God's prophets still alive and that he was now being hunted.
In his words, there was an implied criticism. In effect, he was saying: "God, I have been faithful, but nothing is going the way it should. You have abandoned me."
God responds by giving him new marching orders, his final tasks before rising to be with the Lord in heaven.
Barton says she came to a point in her own busy life where she felt she had to stop and come before God in silence and solitude. She was disappointed with herself and with others. And she felt alone - like Elijah.
As she came before God, she was honest about her feelings and her confusion and disappointment. And God began revealing thing about herself that hurt.
She says this moment of revelation can be painful, but the result can be transforming. We find ourselves being led back to the path God has chosen for us - as Elijah did.
I realize that I am not totally honest with the Lord. I see my many of my weaknesses, but I cover them with activity and excuses.
But I must be honest and wait for the "still, small voice" that spoke to Elijah at Mount Sinai.
There, God asked him the great question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Ruth Haley Barton says this is what God is often asking us. It's a question that catches our attention and forces us to examine ourselves and our motives.
Elijah answered that question by being totally honest. He poured out his frustrations. He told God that he was the only one of God's prophets still alive and that he was now being hunted.
In his words, there was an implied criticism. In effect, he was saying: "God, I have been faithful, but nothing is going the way it should. You have abandoned me."
God responds by giving him new marching orders, his final tasks before rising to be with the Lord in heaven.
Barton says she came to a point in her own busy life where she felt she had to stop and come before God in silence and solitude. She was disappointed with herself and with others. And she felt alone - like Elijah.
As she came before God, she was honest about her feelings and her confusion and disappointment. And God began revealing thing about herself that hurt.
She says this moment of revelation can be painful, but the result can be transforming. We find ourselves being led back to the path God has chosen for us - as Elijah did.
I realize that I am not totally honest with the Lord. I see my many of my weaknesses, but I cover them with activity and excuses.
But I must be honest and wait for the "still, small voice" that spoke to Elijah at Mount Sinai.
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