What Are You Doing, Here, In This Mess?

If you think you have nothing in common with the Old Testament, keep reading.
In the book of 1 Kings, Elijah was afraid (with reason) and hid himself in a cave. Life had gotten too BIG for him. The LORD asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Have you ever felt like you wanted to hide out until the proverbial storm was over? There were others who tried hiding: Adam and Eve in the garden, Jonah in the belly of a whale (perhaps not his choice), David...

James 5:17 reads "Elijah was a man like us..." and, yes, he hid in a cave when life got too difficult.

1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that no temptation has seized you that is not common to man. If God could handle Elijah's problems (Jezebel's threats and more), He can handle yours.

One of my favorite prayers:

Creator God, Ancient of Days, You alone can accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine, so since I am often too anxious or too confused or too sinful to know how to pray, I'm simply asking to accomplish in me far more than I can ask for, far more than I can imagine. You give abundantly and without finding fault. May I love life with the love of God and be secure in your Grace. Amen

We're all just walking each other home.

Ram Dass

...get out from your cave, out from behind the door, out from under the sheets, and keep on walking dear friend. You're on the same road as Elijah, as Jonah, as the guy next door, your best friend....and set your eyes on your Creator, the Ancient of Days.