Strength for the Journey

Sometimes we need something to get us going.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." - 1 Kings 19:4-7

Elijah had given up.   He feared for his life and yet he laid himself down to die.

But God had other plans for him, and so he sent an angel to wake him up, give him food for strength. 

The angel was not sent to solve Elijah's problems.  He was sent to build him up and get him ready for the long road ahead.

I think what we do at Caritas is the same.  We don't have solutions for all the problem people bring with them when they come, but we can feed them and give them strength.

What is missing in our ministry of service is the mission.  God had a mission for Elijah, and He has one for each of us as well, but we need to get ourselves ready to accept it and take it on.

There is no guarantee that the food will be enough to get me motivated.  Elijah fell back asleep after eating the first time.  We need to keep at it, and not give up.

If I can help satisfy your hunger and get you strong, it is then up to you to get going.

That is the message I think God wants us to hear.

Get them up; I'll get them going.

More to come...