Fasting Day 17 of 40 | Third Monday of Lent
“The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. So, he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.” 1 Kings 19:7-8
After Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel he fled into the wilderness. There he was told to eat twice to get strength from food and then have solitude. Henri Nouwen speaks to this topic.
“In solitude we can slowly unmask the illusion of our possessiveness and discover in the center of our own self that we are not what we can conquer, but what is given to us… It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts. In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended but a gift to be shared… In solitude we become aware that our worth is not the same as our usefulness.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) in Show Me The Way: Reading for Each Day of Lent (New York: Crossroad, 1992) p. 53.
Imagine the victory of Elijah. He could define himself by defeating 450 false prophets. No! His value was far greater than that. And so is yours! Think about how much Jesus loves you to journey to the cross for you.
Jesus, thank you for your matchless love for me. Amen.
You feasted yesterday as the journey is long. Sit in solitude today for at least seven minutes.
This is an aspect part of prayer for you to learn in Lent.
What does He say to you about your worth? Your usefulness? Just listen. Journal what you hear so you do not forget.
And a “Happy Birthday” shout out to my son, Samuel David Hoag. He turns 30 today!
For the kingdom of God you are unspeakably useful. Your victories are too many to count. But your worth to Jesus and to your family far outweigh all that. We love you.
Happy Birthday Sam! I see how you live your life as a gift to be shared. Stay the course.