On Occasional Word, April 17, 2009
04-17-2009Dear Friends:
The last notes of the Easter trumpets have died away. The pungent odor of Easter lilies has cleared the sanctuary. The sanctuary will not seem so full as it did on April 12. There is an understandable “let down,” a kind of post-Easter depression that churches and pastors often feel. Perhaps that is the reason the Sunday following Easter is often called, “Low Sunday.”
I am always reminded on Low Sunday of the faith journey of Elijah. You can read it in the Book of I Kings beginning in the 17th chapter, and continuing into the Book of II Kings.
You remember the story of Elijah and his contest with the prophets of Baal. Elijah trusts God, has faith in God and wins a stunning victory for God over the prophets of Baal. And they, for their trouble, all die.
But in the aftermath of his victory, Elijah flees into the wilderness, fearful for his life. He speaks of being the only one left who will follow God. He is in a true “blue funk.”
He is ready to crawl under a bush and die. The story ends as Elijah rediscovers his faith in God. He finds anew his trust in God. In that faith and trust, he finds the strength to carry on as a prophet.
I think Elijah briefly forgot that this Kingdom of God business, this prophet business was not about him. Remember he said, “I alone am left... .” But, paraphrasing, God said, “I’ve got thousands who have not bowed down to Baal.”
Being a prophet — speaking for God — is about God, not about Elijah.
Elijah was not alone, not as long as he had faith in God. Our faith is not in the great natural forces of the universe, the earthquake, wind and fire. Our faith is not in armies or rulers or money. It is in God. Faith makes a difference.
The “Low Sunday” lesson in a time of depression or recession is that you are never alone if you trust the God who knows the way out of the tomb, the God who inspires others not to bow to Baal or to mammon or to the lesser gods of our world, the One who will hold you close to a loving heart, the God who bathes you with a divine grace.
It matters who you trust. It matters in whom you place your faith.
Faithfully,
Charles N. Crutchfield
