“I have had enough, Lord,” [Elijah] said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” —1 Kings 19:4
The prophet Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of all time. But at one point in his long labor of resisting Israel’s evil queen, he got burned out. He told the Lord, “I quit.”
The lord knew what he needed. First, Elijah needed rest. The Lord gave him time to sleep, and then an angel woke him to offer some food, for he needed to eat, and water, for he needed to drink. Often the solution to burnout is as simple as that: rest, nourishment, and hydration.
Elijah needed more. He needed some alone time with God. He traveled forty days and nights to get there. He had to get far away from the place where he labored to a place where he could be still and at peace. And God met him there, in that alone place. They had a bluntly honest talk. God renewed Elijah’s soul. Then he honored God and went back to work filled up.
What do you need? Rest? Food? Water? Time with God? He is ready to meet you in whatever place you find yourself today.
