"What are you doing here? 1 Kings 19

Is it possible to know, for sure, that we are exactly where God wants us?

I believe so...but we have to pay attention.

When we read the account of Elijah running from Ahab we learn a great lesson. We should recall that Elijah  killed all of Ahab's false prophets. The king was so angry when he received the news that he sent a messenger to Elijah to tell him "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow."

So, Elijah ran away...

He was sitting in a cave when God came by and asked "what are you doing here?" Of course, Elijah had his answer prepared. He said "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Now, this was a great answer but it was a good answer to a different question. God didn't ask "why are you here?" God asked "what are you doing here?"

Big difference...
 
But, God is gracious. So, instead of telling Elijah to answer the question He asked it again. This time He took Elijah aside in order to get his undivided attention. He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Same answer...it was still wrong. So God sent him back to where he came from.

If we listen...eliminate the cacophony that fills our lives...we might hear something. We might hear God ask "what are you doing here?" But, we need to step aside. You see, God was not in the wind or the fire. God was in the silence. Too often we identify God in the wonderful things we do for Him rather than in the silence that "is" Him. And, if we aren't careful, we'll give the wrong answer just like Elijah did.

"What" not "why"

You see, God created us for certain purposes. God created Elijah to be a prophet. To whom would he prophesy while he was alone in a cave? The clear implication is...Elijah was in the wrong place. Not because of "why" he was there but because of what he couldn't "do" there. He was a prophet. He had to be where he could do that.

God could probably understand "why" Elijah was in the cave but that wasn't the point.

So...when we allow God to ask us "what are you doing here?"...we are allowing God to help us figure out if we are in the right place. If what we're doing is precisely what God created us to do...we are in the right spot. Why move? I'm not suggesting another spot couldn't be just as right. I'm just saying this spot is right. It's also important to note is not exclusive to geography. Its just as applicable to our spiritual journey. When our spirits are in a dark place we may want to listen for God's question.

When we consider changing location we need to be certain our reasons are not connect with "why" but are firmly grounded in "what".  Some of the most dubious reasons for changing locations have to do with "why".

• My wife and I have grown apart
• I don't like my boss
• My grandkids live back east
• The weather here is terrible
• I'm tired

Each reason may have merit but none of them answer God's question.
 

The High Ground: Psalm 121

 One axiom of warfare says "the high ground" offers a strategic advantage. Another axiom infers strategic advantage can be neutralized by superior firepower. A logical conclusion will suggest if you cannot occupy the high ground...bring a bigger gun.

A wise warrior always keeps an eye on the high ground...

The same is true in life...The metaphor suggests "the high ground" in our ...lives is those places where threats and danger lurk. So, as an example, if we give temptation the high ground in our lives temptation will likely prevail. By way of illustration, this could mean purchasing a bundled cable plan that includes adult channels.

I think you get it...and there is a lot a high ground surrounding our lives. We become aware of more threats from the high ground every day. The IRS, The NSA, the Supreme Court, an impotent and principally challenged Congress, the Department of Justice, an imperial executive. Each of these is contributing to the erosion of our liberty and security.

Why do I make this point? Because most of us can remember a time when these institutions were the surest guarantors of our liberty and security. A natural sense of fear and panic rises within us when we realize the truth. Where do we go when our traditional protectors abandon us?

In Psalm 121 David says "I lift up my eyes to the mountains (the high ground)—where does my help come from?" In other words, when David surveyed the high ground around him he saw significant threat and couldn't help but wonder..."what do I do now?"

Without missing a breath he answers his own question. "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

There are times when our traditional defenses are no longer trustworthy. One great paradox of America is that our institutions have so dependably safeguarded us that we felt comfortable trusting them...to the exclusion the greatest source of security...God. Well, our traditional sources of security have now occupied the high ground and have become a threat.

So what do we do? We appropriate superior firepower...which would be God...and neutralize the threat. The good news is, God is available and...that's where we should have been all along.

Blessings...