“Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”” 1 Kings 17:1
Have you ever thought that you were just like your brother or sister, mom or dad or Uncle Julius? You aren’t. When you see a group of Haitian school children smiling in their clean uniforms eating a bowl of rice and beans, do you think they are all alike? They aren’t. God is bigger than creating people in the same mold. Thank goodness we aren’t alike.
God's methods are always surprising. When reading through 1 Kings, we learn that God did not raise up an army to destroy Ahab and Jezebel. God didn’t send some scintillating prince to argue His case or try to impress their royal majesties. Instead, God did the unimaginable; He chose somebody like Elijah. Have you ever thought that somebody else is better qualified than you for a position at your Church? Are you a wife and homemaker who feels that your contribution to God's service is not noteworthy? Do you see other people as special or more talented?
You may be missing an opportunity that is right there in front of you. You may be in the very midst of a ministry and not even realize it. Your ministry may be to just witnessing to two or three people. You may be able to provide a single meal to one Haitian child. Don't discount that; God's methods with a unique person like you are often surprising.
When we're standing alone in the gap, ultimately, we're standing before God. When the call comes, will God find us ready and willing to stand for Him? Will He find in us hearts that are completely His? No matter what role you fill in life, you're not unimportant when it comes to standing alone for His purpose on your journey.
What spot has God given you? Whatever it is, God says, "You're standing before Me, and I want to use you. I want to use you as My unique spokesperson in your day and age, at this moment and time." Elijah, this gaunt, rugged figure striding out of nowhere, suddenly stepping into the pages of history, is a clear witness of the value of one life completely committed to God. An unknown man from a backwater place, he was called to stand against evil in the most turbulent and violent and decadent of times. Look around in your neighborhood. The need is still great, and God is still searching for a unique person like you.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay