Sermon 6/20/04
The Sound of Silence - 1 Kings 19:1-15a
(view lectionary notes for this text)
Beth: Today we turn our attention to the book of first Kings. I'll readily admit that my biblical knowledge in the history books of the Old Testament, once the Israelites make it into the Promised Land, is certainly less handy and thorough than my knowledge of the teachings of Jesus. So when it comes to stories like this one today, I have to dig a little deeper than usual.
But fortunately, our text from 1 Kings is rich with meaning for us, laden with examples that easily translate into our own lives today. The books of Kings continue the story of the monarchy, beginning with the death of King David and the start of the reign of David's son Solomon. They then follow the history of the Israelites and Judeans, focusing on the kings, the leaders of the regions. We pick up the story today with the prophet Elijah. He finds himself living under the rule of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who have no use for truth-telling God-talking men like Elijah. He hears of the prophets who have been killed under their reign, and after getting a threatening letter from the Queen, he runs out of town as fast as he can.
God, however, doesn't let him get very far. Exhausted, Elijah collapses admits he's ready to die. But instead, an messenger from God appears to him provides him with food. "Get up," the messenger says, "eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He gets up, retreats into the mountain for 40 days, 40 being a number that frequently in scriptures represents a time of spiritual trial. And then God speaks to him - "what are you doing here Elijah?" Elijah answers that he has been zealous for God, but that the Israelites are not so zealous for God at all. In fact, they've rejected God, killed God's prophets, toppled God's altars. "I alone am left," Elijah concludes, "and they are seeking my life."
Instead of offering rescue and safety, God tells Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain, ready - for God is about to pass by. Through a great mountain-splitting wind, Elijah stands, through and earthquake, and through fire. But God is not there. Finally, in the silence, in the sound of sheer silence, God speaks again, "what are you doing here Elijah?" Elijah repeats his claim. "I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Now God has an answer for him, but still not the one I bet Elijah was hoping for: God says, "go back." Back to where they have no use for God. Back to where they will certainly seek to kill you. Go back, and get back to the work to which I have called you." And so we leave our friend, in the sheer silence with God on the side of the mountain.
I think we can relate to Elijah's predicament. We look at our world and sometimes feel that God is being crowded out. No one wants to hear about loving God and neighbor, about serving the least and the last, about giving up all that makes us comfortable, about going where it seems we least want to go. Who can't relate to Elijah's desire to pack up and get out while we still can?
Today, I have the pleasure of sharing sermon time with a person who can, perhaps, relate very well to Elijah's predicament. Truth be told, I heard from so-and-so through the grape vine before I even came to St. Paul's that Ashley Woodcock was considering, at least considering, becoming a pastor. As you can imagine, this is a topic about which Ashley and I have had much conversation, and we thought we'd share some of it with you today.
Like most people called by God, Ashley, it seems, has spent much time explaining why she is really not called, really shouldn't be called, really doesn't want to be called to be a pastor. So, like Elijah's list of reasons told to God of why he was fleeing town, I made Ashley make a list of reasons why she doesn't want to or shouldn't be a pastor. Ashley?
Ashley: Reasons Why I shouldn't be a pastor: Reason #1.) Because, Just Because Reason #2.) I'm not good at relating to people and people can't relate to me...or so it seems Reason #3.) I feel that I don't have a strong enough faith Reason #4.) I'm scared I might mess up, like by giving bad advice, saying something wrong, for example Reason #5.) I'm not Good at it! Reason #6.) I work better with kids, I don't do very well talking to adults Reason #7.) I'M SCARED! Reason #8.) It's Work (and not just once a week) Reason #9.) Emotionally Draining? Reason #10.) I HATE HOSPITALS, I don't like the way the smell. Reason #11.) I don't know how to be calm during a crisis Reason #12.) There's too much to do, and its hard work getting there, and hard work when you get there!
Beth: Now, I have my arguments about the truthfulness of some of Ashley's statements, like her doubts about her faith, or her doubts about her own abilities. Because I have seen and heard Ashley's sense of call from God, that call that overrides any long list of reasons against she can possibly think of. Elijah had his reasons for running, but he was stopped in his tracks, overwhelmed by the sense that he couldn't escape God's plan for him. God is calling you, as God called Elijah, and as God calls Ashley.
Ashley: I never really thought about becoming a pastor until my tenth grade English teacher announced that we were going to do a career paper that would count for most of our third marking period grade. "Perfect," I thought, "a career of my choice. Why not write about being a pastor? I mean, seriously, they only work one hour a week - it can't be that hard. So I told my teacher of my plans, and she looked at me as if I was crazy. Well, I was, but I didn't know it at the time. So the first task was to set up and interview with someone in the career you chose. I chose Barb Fiske, pastor at Lairdsville UMC. What a cool person! I had never met her before and I only figured that I would talk to her for like 30 minutes. Well, God doesn't put people in your life for only 30 minutes, so for two hours, we talked, laughed, and discovered things about myself I never knew. Well, after the interview, I went upstairs and thought, "Why did I all of a sudden feel weird about this paper? I mean, there must be something more." So I wrote the rough draft, and about 6 other drafts, and handed in my final paper. So what was God telling me though this?
Beth: What was God telling Elijah? Even when it seemed impossible that he could be any use, even when his surroundings were in a state of disaster, even then, God was calling Elijah to return to the difficult situation, to return to where a voice from God was most desperately needed.
Ashley: In spite of my fears, I've had several experiences that have confirmed my call, made me a little bit more sure that God really is calling me to do something with my life. Sometimes I sense God's call through talking to friends at CCYM, our conference youth group, or through helping them out. I feel I am getting better at being calm in certain situations. I felt good about doing the youth service, and doing a good job at it. I have been taking more leadership roles, and have been successful. People come to me, and I can be calm and am able to help them.
Beth: Elijah couldn't escape his call. He looked for God, spent forty days seeking God, trying to find direction, not yet ready to return to where he knew his enemies would try to thwart his mission, even to the point of taking his life. Elijah stood and watched as mountains shook with the wind, as earthquakes crashed around him, as fires blazed in front of him - surely God would be present in these magnificent displays? But no, finally, in the sound, the sometimes deafening sound of sheer silence, God was there, and ready to guide Elijah back to the journey he was called for, back to the place where his life would be in danger, but where his life would be in God's hands. We do not always find God where we expect to find God - but God has a way of surprising us, and showing up when we least expect it.
Ashley: I normally look for God at church, or at conference youth events, and I do often find God there. But sometimes I find God in different ways than I planned on. This year, I've found God in a best friend, and in other friends that I've reconnected with. I've wanted to run away from God sometimes, too, like when I was handing in my application to attend Mission of Peace to India. It took me a couple months to write, because I was afraid, but God kept calling me and pushing me to do it, so I just became frustrated with myself for not listening to God
Beth: But Elijah did go back. God provided him some food for the journey - he was literally fed by God's messengers, but spiritually fed by God's presence and reassurance. And after he resolved to return to God's work, he would soon find a successor and helper, Elisha, who would help him face those who sought to crush God's word. We all need food for the journey, strength and help in answering God's call.
Ashley: My food for the journey comes in many ways: going to church, listening to the prayers of Joy, and how people have overcome so much - it makes me realize that I can overcome so much as well. Little kids give me strength and hope, because they're still full of life, and just are so happy all the time, which often I am, but they seem so happy just to be living, and sometimes in school, and as we get older we lose that, and in school sometimes I just feel so sad, because my peers are not happy. I find food for the journey in Exchange Students: Teenagers from around the world, because they are so open and just want to learn as much as they can, and they are always wanting to be in a good mood and want you to be too. God does give me strength to face each day with faith.
Beth: God does give us strength to face each day with faith, even when we feel unsure of what we're supposed to do, and where we're supposed to go. Even when the obstacles are great and many that come in our path, God gives us strength, and sends us forward. Even when we can't seem to find God, or are just plain running in the opposite direction, God can find us, and set us back on the path of life. God can find us, God can feed us, God will use us, and God will keep us. So let's turn back, leave this mountain of fears and doubts behind us, and return to where the world is most in need of the grace of God. Amen.