Stepping from the Cave

He walked the last few inches to the entrance of the cave. Peering inside, he found the darkness strangely comforting. “Finally, a place to hide” he thought. A place where no one would find him, and he would be alone with the pain and weariness he felt. His weariness was not from the trek, or even the climb to this cave. No. The weariness he felt was emotional, mental. He couldn’t go on.

He stepped past the entrance and plunged into the darkness of the cave. Satisfied that he was surrounded by darkness as complete as what he felt around his heart, he allowed his back to slide down the wall of the cave and came to rest on its cold floor. Mental exhaustion taking its toll, sleep soon overtook him.

He awoke the next morning, dim light filtering into his new dark home. He sat re-living for the thousandth time the things that had taken place. Then, interrupting his thoughts, the voice came to him once again. "What are you doing here, Elijah?''

Was this an accusation? “I have worked very hard for the Lord God of the heavens; but the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you and torn down your altars and killed your prophets, and only I am left; and now they are trying to kill me, too,'' he answered.

The voice returned. “Go out and stand before me on the mountain.”

How often I have read this story a different way. With my arrogant 20/20 hind-sight, it was easy to judge Elijah a coward. Here was a man who had seen God stop all rain and dew at his word. A man who had seen God’s provision through ravens, and a never-ending supply of meal and oil. He had seen God raise a boy from the dead at his request, and seen God’s fire come down and consume a sacrifice at the utterance of his one-sentence prayer. Now he was in a cave, cowering from one woman.

My disgust at his behavior evident, I would boldly proclaim to God, “I wouldn’t run Lord! I’d stand up for you!”

How arrogant of me.

Only people who have experienced the cave can understand the man who sought it. A soldier for God, Elijah stood not only against the King, but against his people. His bold stand for God alienated him. It forced him into exile. He lost friends, family and every support he’d had in his life, all for His God. He’d done it willingly, and he’d do it again.

You see, it wasn’t Jezebel’s note that sent him running. The note was stacked upon years of standing alone for God. Hearing the talk of the “evil Elijah who has stopped the rain” whispered in the markets. The rumors and false accusations filtering even to this place where he had hid.

He had seen his greatest victory, God had been exalted. He should have been greeted back into fellowship, instead he was threatened with death. He had completed his mission. Wasn’t it over? Why was this happening now? Overwhelmed and disillusioned, he ran.

Many of us have felt like this. We have made a stand for God in our family, community and church, only to find ourselves now overwhelmed and disillusioned. Yes we’ve had our victories, but the wear and tear and strain on our heart was too much to bear. We sought a place to hide.

When Elijah made his trip to the cave, he left his servants behind. He withdrew even from them, and ran until he could no longer. Falling under a tree, he cried out the words many of you have cried out as well, “I can’t do it any more. Let me die. I’m done.”

Do you know what? God didn’t reprimand him for his statements. God didn’t even get upset. Instead, He gave him food and drink, and let him rest. God then gave Elijah the food and drink that would allow him to run to the cave. Not one harsh word made to Elijah.

Many of you know what it feels like to be in a cave. No, maybe not one made of stone, but one of your own making. A place of refuge. A place to hide. A place where you can avoid contact with anyone, especially those bubbly Christians who, in their ignorance, would try to encourage you to come out. “You’ll feel better,” they say. They just don’t understand. You can’t.

Just like Elijah, you have completed your mission. You don’t know what else you are supposed to do. You are done.

And this is when the voice breaks into your darkness, and says, “Come outside for a moment. I want to show you something.”

You see, God didn’t reprimand Elijah. Instead, he led him out to the edge of his cave, and began to demonstrate his power. Not for the people, but a show of power just for him. A private demonstration that God is all powerful, and just for a single man.

Then, after the display was over, God returns to Elijah to speak with him. He does not speak to Elijah in a loud billowing angry voice. No, though Elijah half expected he would, and maybe even thought he deserved God to be angry with him. No. God speaks to him in a still soft voice, a whisper.

You can read for yourself the exact wording used, but allow me to paraphrase. Speaking in a gentle voice, God tells Elijah. “I’m not done with you. There is still more work for you to do. You aren’t useless to me. I’m not even angry with you. I understand. I love you. And you still are important. You still have work that you can do.”

And then, almost as an afterthought, after giving Elijah the new vision for his life, God turns and says, “Oh, and so you know. You aren’t alone. There are others who have stood like you, and there are others who have been hiding in caves.”

The enemy of God wants each cave dweller to think that he is the only one, and in the cave it is easy to believe it. But I feel in my spirit, like I have not felt it before. It is time.

We have hidden in our caves long enough, and God is giving us a new vision. He is giving us a fresh start. This past year, He has demonstrated His power to us in very personal and powerful ways. It is now time for us to step out of the darkness where the enemy has tormented our minds. The new mission calls. The new vision fresh in our hearts.

Lastly, you have not been alone. You are not the only person who has felt hidden and trapped. Most importantly, God is not mad at you for coming to the cave.

2005 approaches. Let us each greet it beside the exit of our caves. We shall leave the dust and the darkness behind, knowing that what awaits us is new strength, new hope, and new joy.

Best Wishes for your new victorious year,
Kenneth Swett

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