1 Kings 19:15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came”
This is God speaking to Elijah after his time on the mountain in which Elijah encountered God in that “gentle whisper.” We had a wonderful woman in our church who has now passed away. She is remembered for various sayings she quoted regularly. One of them is the maxim, “Wherever you go, there you are.” “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life,” we are told in 19:3. That is how he ended up on the mountain. When our faith falters and we feel afraid it is so helpful to get away and look for God, whether that is a time of retreat or just a moment of stillness during the day. Often what these times apart accomplish in our lives is the renewal of hope and courage to face what we have been running away from. Maybe you learn how to make a change in your circumstances through the “gentle whisper” of God on the mountain but that change will only be implemented when, renewed by God’s love, you go back to face the issue that brought you apart to begin with. “Go back the way you came.” Faith is going apart to God alone and also going back to the situation at hand. Wherever you go, there you are! This week, what is God calling you to go back to?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 