Many of us have felt, or currently feel alone. Despite all the ways in which we might possibly connect with others in the information age, we report more loneliness than ever before. Of all the reasons why someone might feel alone, this weekend's passage deals with one that I think is somewhat rare..

This week, we look at the well-known story of Elijah who came to believe that he alone remained as a faithful prophet of God. We will find out later that Elijah was mistaken. For some reason, despite Elijah's knowledge that there were other prophets, he despaired to see himself as the only one left.

What follows is a powerful encounter with God – a Turning Point! If you read the passage soberly, you'll notice something missing. The text does not tell us that this turning point leads to joyful exuberance, miraculous healing, or happy ever after for our protagonist, Elijah (though, there are plenty of those in the passages nearby). In fact, this turning point is only somewhat about him. It's about something much bigger than Elijah: the mission of God. Elijah's submission to that much larger goal came with the knowledge that there were many others who had "not bowed to Baal," and who would therefore be on the mission with him.

Elijah missed all of this because he expected God to be at work in a way that was perceivable to him. I think it's safe to say that we all do this. We think many things should be done a certain way – our way. This can have a truly devastating impact on our lives together. For starters, it can make us feel alone like Elijah thought he was alone. But perhaps more devastatingly for the Church, it can make us turn on one another, believing that someone else's way is the problem.

My hope for this weekend is that we can hear God's answer to this problem. I hope I can make it clear, and I hope you'll join us.

To His Glory,

Jeff Liou
Pastor of College Ministries