Sneak Peak #5 - From Day 26 Of "Faithful Fitness"

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Passage  

“[Elijah] sat down under a bush and asked to die. He said, ‘I have had enough, Lord! Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, ‘Get up and eat!’ Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep. Later the Lord’s angel came to him again, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat! If you don’t, you will not be strong enough to make the long trip.’ So Elijah got up. He ate and drank and felt strong.” 

(1 Kings 19:4–8 ERV)

Meditation

This striking passage finds the great prophet Elijah in the throes of suicidal ideation after fleeing the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel. Despite his dedication to God in the face of idol-worshipping tyranny, he is discouraged even to the point of death. 

He had just seen God’s miraculous power on public display—vindicated in front of the prophets of Baal[1]—and now fleeing for his life he collapses in the wilderness. His past “wins” count for nothing in his heart and mind as he prays the most miserable of prayers. “I’ve had enough, Lord! Take my life.” 

Sometimes you’re spent. Sometimes you don’t want to continue. Sometimes you pray desperate, ugly, and painful prayers. 

And sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is eat some cake and take a nap.

A few cheap jokes could be made here about your “inner toddler”—you’ve likely done more than your fair share of kicking and screaming on this journey—but there is something deeper and more loving going on here between Elijah and our good, good Father. 

While much of this devotional has been about subordinating your flesh to your spirit and whipping your body into shape—stewarding yourself well—for God’s glory, this amazing excerpt comes with a very merciful and wonderful reminder that God knows your physical needs. 

He sees when you are hungry, moody, tired, overstimulated, and not recovered. 

On this amazing adventure of faith, you will have wins like Elijah on Mount Carmel in the chapter previous to this passage. God brought the fire, the vindication, and the long-awaited rain! 

But often after those mountaintop experiences you might be exhausted. Spent. Painfully aware that though “the battle” was won for the moment, the war continues! 

And in those moments He provides shade, nourishment, sleep, and ministry. He made you to rest to recover your weary muscles. Given the right ingredients, He made your body and mind to put themselves back together so that you can return to the calling on your life with strength.

Elijah wanted to give up. But God had other plans for him. A daunting forty-day walk to Horeb, “the mountain of God,” a life-changing experience in God’s presence, and an apprentice to teach (Elisha!) were all important next steps for Elijah.

But before all of that, he just needed good food and some rest. 

Don’t forget to notice—amid all of your striving—when you need the same.

Discipline 

The discipline of growth requires that you feed your body what it needs to continue working hard and that you rest adequately so it can recover from all of your hard work. In this age of “calorie burning” and “calorie counting” in an effort to create “deficits,” proper sports nutrition and adequate sleep are often overlooked. Keep track of your sleep quantity and aim for seven to nine hours per night. When you’re running short, try napping to allow for good rest. And if you’re going to have some cake, plan those excess carbs around your most taxing workout days (like a long run or leg day) so your metabolism can use them to recover and restore your weary muscles! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for how You made me and how You lead me. You know my capabilities and my limitations. Even while You guide me in Your good work, You always have my best in mind. Jesus, thank You for knowing the weaknesses of my human mind and body. You became flesh and understand what it means to be physically hungry, moody, and exhausted. Forgive me when that gets the better of me and I end up acting and sounding like a toddler. Make me mature in You. Holy Spirit, bless my food and rest so that I eat in a way that restores strength to my body and sleep in a way that rejuvenates my mind. I want to recover well from the work I’ve already done and to be strong for the challenges to come. 

In Jesus’s name, amen. 

 [1] 1 Kings 18: “Elijah and the prophets of Baal.”