Life's Odyssey

In an encounter between Elijah and King Ahab (Jezebel’s husband), Elijah challenged Baal’s prophets to see which god — Baal or God — would answer his prophet(s).  Despite entreating Baal from morning until evening and Baal’s prophets slashing themselves, the sacrifice to Baal didn’t catch fire. Then,  Elijah asked God to light the fire.  Immediately, fire consumed Elijah’s sacrifice.

Queen Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah. In fear, Elijah fled Samaria; he ran over 100 miles to south of Beersheba in Judah. There, Elijah fell asleep under a broom tree. The symbolism of the broom tree is “renewal.”   If anyone needed to be renewed, it was Elijah!  Just as God renewed Elijah, God renews us through nature and rest.  Isaiah wrote that those who hope in the Lord renew their strength.   Having confidence (faith) in God can renew us so we can walk, run, and soar without collapsing from the weight of the world’s challenges.

Reflection:  God, I want so badly to be renewed, to be changed from the inside out.  I want to be different from the culture I live in.  Why should I feel comfortable in this society when my true home is heaven?

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