Pastor Mark Olmos
September 19, 2004 - W0438

No matter what shape our life is in, it is precious to God. We never want to throw away a life just because it’s broken or bruised. We all go through intense times in our life, transitions and battles—and it’s nearly impossible to go through life without getting a bit worn. From time to time, it’s important to take time out for a season of repair. Even in serving God, we can get so caught up in the work that we forget what is happening to our bodies. We all have those times when we need to pull off the track for a pit stop, or head into the training room for some rehabilitation.

Elijah’s life shows us this. God took him through a season of repair. He was a great prophet during a time when Israel was following demon gods. There were as many as eight hundred and fifty false prophets leading the people to false gods such as Baal and Asherah. Even though Elijah had won a great and dazzling victory over every single one of them, when one woman (Jezebel the queen) sought to harm him, he ran away in fear:

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors’” (I Kings 19:3-4).

It almost doesn’t make sense! Elijah, the champion of Mount Carmel—who had prayed for and brought rain, slayed the false prophets, and run to Jezreel in a supernatural way—had had enough. Elijah had come to the absolute end of his strength and into a season of repair. The same thing often happens to us. Sometimes when we struggle, strain and pray, trying with all our might to get to a certain place or make something happen, and when we finally achieve it, we collapse! Ironically, we are often most vulnerable after seasons of great victory.  We are tired, become weak and are unmotivated.  God understands this and He has a plan.

God’s Overhaul Plans for His Servants

Life can be so fast paced, in our express-lane, microwavable, “six-minute abs” world!  We may need to slow down and simplify. We tend to forget that…

1.  GOD WANTS US PHYSICALLY RECHARGED!

The heavenly Father sent an angel to tenderly minister to Elijah, to wake and feed him.

“Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God”  (I Kings 19:5,8).

• WE NEED ADEQUATE SLEEP.

Some of us are exhausted today.  We worry about problems and don’t sleep well. Sometimes we don’t realize the best thing we can do for ourselves spiritually is to sleep! Adults generally need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Young people need more, of course. Surveys indicate that as many as one-third of us are getting less than six hours a day.

If you are suffering from fatigue, here are a few helpful tips to getting good rest. First of all, invest in a good mattress. It can make a real difference!  A third of our life is spent in sleep and it’s worth it to give ourselves something that will ensure good rest.  Establish a regular bed time and take the time to unwind before going to sleep. Another important way to promote good rest is to exercise regularly.

• WE NEED REGULAR EXERCISE.

Regular exercise reimburses us with increased energy efficiency and ability to concentrate and sleep. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine.  Find something you like to do and do it every day, such as walking, surfing, swimming, biking, or maybe volleyball with the family. Take the stairs at work or park farther away from your destinations when running errands. Weight training is great, too.

Our bodies are living temples when we have asked Jesus into our hearts. We need to take care of them and steward them well.  Another important way of doing that is to eat right.

• WE NEED TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET. 

A way to simplify this is to say “no” to the “good,” (e.g., donuts, French fries, and ice cream) and say “yes” to the best (e.g., fruits, vegetables, lower-fat and whole foods. One suggestion is to eat five small meals, instead of one, two or even three big meals each day. This increases our likelihood of becoming strong, refreshed, creative, more efficient and more alert in all we do.

God is always at work in our lives and we can optimize this through cooperation and good stewardship of these bodies He has given us to live in on this earth.

In addition to caring for us physically…

2.  GOD WANTS TO REFRESH HIS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES!

After Elijah rests and refreshes, God brings him into His presence. Then God asks Elijah twice what he is doing there. What God is really saying is, “I am not done with you yet, Elijah!” It is after this that Elijah gets his instructions but first, God wants first to renew Elijah’s relationship with Him:

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (I Kings 19:11).

How do we do that in our lives? How do we “stand on the mountain in the presence God?” Sadly, our problem is that we don’t take the time to do that. We are just too busy. We have express lanes, fast food, and speed-reading. The thing is…when it comes to God, we cannot microwave maturity. There is no such thing as six-second intimacy with God! We need to take the time.

Daily devotions—scriptural reading and journaling—is a simple and effective way to get refreshed. Through devotions, we take time to focus on God’s word and allow Him to speak directly to our hearts and minds. Maybe you can take a long walk in the park, or go to a coffee shop with a pen and paper and lay out every part of your life before Him. Go face-to-face with God. Whether it’s looking up at the stars, sitting at the beach, taking a prayer walk or journaling in a coffee shop, spend time with God and just listen to what He has to say.  And through this, He will renew you…

3.  GOD WANTS TO RENEW OUR PURPOSE FOR LIVING!

After God refreshed Elijah physically and spiritually, it’s then that He asks Elijah a great clarifying question, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” God demonstrates His power to Elijah then asks him again, “What are you doing here?” Surprisingly, Elijah answers by complaining, essentially telling God that His plan is not working. So what does God do?

“The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram” (I Kings 19:15).

God tells Elijah that He is not done with him yet, that Elijah has not yet fulfilled his purpose and that he needs to go back to where he started. It was time for Elijah to tighten the focus on his purpose.

In a season of repair, it’s important for us to ask ourselves, “Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?” Is it really just about good grades, a good job, marriage and home ownership? Making a living is not the same as making a life. We may like to think, “life is all about me,” but it isn’t! Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.

The Bible says each of us was created for a purpose and that God wants to partner with us to make a difference in this world. He very much wants us to know why we are alive. On the New Hope website, under the Ohana Portal (at the bottom of the left-hand side of the page), is a “Spiritual Gifts” test. Take the test and discover your strengths and gifts. Once we learn what our gifts are, we begin to discover our ministry, or purpose, and how essential each of us is in serving Christ. Pastor Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” is also recommended reading for those seeking God' purpose for their lives.

In a season of repair, we need more than just physical refreshment and a face-to-face with God. We want to hear from Him and a good question to ask is, “What is my mission, again, Lord? Why am I here?”

Elijah thought all was lost but God answered his complaint, telling him:

“Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (I Kings 19:16).

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (I Kings 19:18).

God reminds Elijah that He is still working all over the world.  God is telling Elijah: 1) I am in control and my plan will move forward, and 2) you will not have to go it alone.  In fact, God equips Elijah with a ministry partner, Elisha, to do His works.  The message for us is…Life is a team sport.

4.  GOD WANTS TO REMIND US THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us how important people are and that life is easier with a little help from our friends. Seasons of repair are times to strengthen our supportive relationships and re-establish ones that may have gone into disrepair. This may mean that we pick up the phone and reconnect with someone we haven’t talked to in a long time because we overreacted or got offended by something they said. Perhaps we need to forgive our spouse, mom, dad, uncle or aunty, or possibly a sibling and let them know that we need their love. Our spouse is not our enemy! Our spouse is our friend and they ought to be the first person we stand back-to-back with in the battle. We can pray together, support each other, and watch out for each other.

If you feel that you don’t have any supportive relationships to reinforce you, look around you! There are many wonderful people here at New Hope who know the value of encouraging friendships. We have Small Groups—Bible studies where people get together, grow together, care for each other, and establish good strong Christian friendships. These are places where people can struggle together, share together, and cry together. Small Groups turn regular relationships into spiritually supportive ones. 

Sometimes in life there are people to lag behind, maybe at the back of the pack wondering if they’re even going to make it.  Sometimes we need to slow down, go back to make sure they are okay, and say, “Come, let’s finish together.”  At some time in our life, each of us will need people around us that will do that for us. Let’s remember:  Life is a team sport!

In seasons of repair, our tendency is to become discouraged and give up but some of us really just need to get some sleep. Some of us need spend more time with God, talking to Him and listening too. Some need to ask, “What’s my purpose? Why am I here?” Some need to call someone they know and say, “Let’s start meeting again, just to pray for each other and encourage one another.”  When we do that, God is going to toss us the ball again. Then, we can get back into the game, the battle, or the next season, and change the world together. And that’s the kind of people we want to be—amen? Amen!

Discussion Questions:

1)   Recall a victory where you found yourself vulnerable afterward?  How did you take care of yourself?  How did you handle your season of repair?

2)   How do you renew yourself and ensure that you’re keeping your life in line with God’s purpose?  What do you need to do differently?

3)   What are your spiritual gifts and how are you redeeming them for God?  If you’re not already in a ministry, where can you see yourself serving?

4)   Do you know of someone who is falling behind and can use your encouragement?  Make it a point to slow down and reconnect with them.  What can you do to encourage them?

Much "Mahalo" to seasoned volunteer writer Robin Hart II for her serving spirit and willingness to be an encourager to others who may be in a Season of Repair!