Bethlehem Lutheran Church issued the following announcement on Aug. 11
“At Horeb, the mount of God, Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Just a couple of weeks ago I was fly fishing on a small stream. I was intent on my work, or leisure, whatever you want to call it. Looking, casting, concentrating, and hoping. I was caught up in the moment. When I actually began to take in my surroundings and look at more than just one small section of the stream I saw a small duck. The little critter was just ten or fifteen yards away watching me.
I don’t want to read too much into this, but there was a look of confusion on the duck’s face. It seemed to be asking me the same question that God asked Elijah on Mount Horeb. “What are you doing here?” It’s a question well-worth being asked, and of course answering. In my mind, that question should be perceived in two distinct ways.
The first: “What are you doing here?” This is where Elijah started. He shared with the Lord how it was that he had ended up in that place. Elijah was seeking refuge. “They are seeking my life, to take it away.”
In my situation, my answer was much less dramatic. I had traveled to that mountain stream to see if I might catch a fish, doesn’t seem like much, but it still drew me there. Truth is, no matter where we find ourselves in this life, there’s usually a “why” as to how we got to where we currently are. That history is an important part of understanding who we are and where we might be headed.
And now, the second: “What are you doing here?” This might be the more important question. Elijah was given his answer. What would he be doing? He would be headed out to anoint some kings, it was important work. In the moment on the stream, I was enjoying a pastime. I was just fishing, nothing more, nothing less. But that time was not representative of the “rest” of my life.
So, “what am I doing here?” I have been called to the ministry of word and sacrament, that is my vocation, and most of the time… living that out, is my focus.
And yet, even within the context of that work, I constantly need to be asking, “What am I doing here?” Is it valuable, is it faithful, and is it life-giving? Sadly, I need to prayerfully answer those questions for myself.
And yes, each of us, as we live out this journey of discipleship, need to continually consider those two questions for ourselves…
Question for reflection: What am I doing here? What am I doing here? Think about where you’ve come from, where you’re headed, and… what you’ll be up to in the days ahead.
Original source can be found here.
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