Hi Everyone and welcome to our second Track Group online!

This week we are going to continue to look at the life of Elijah and gaining wisdom on wellbeing. Last time we looked at rest and how important it is to find rest in amongst the chaos in the world.

Elijah’s story is in the book of 1 Kings. We’ve been looking at 1 Kings 19:1-9 for the last couple of weeks. Why don’t you refresh your memory on that bit?
So Elijah is sleeping in a cave on mount Horeb and he hears God speak to him:

“Elijah, what are you doing here?”

Elijah responds (probably not in the best way) by telling God that he is on the run because he is afraid he’ll be killed. You’d think God would be cross with him… or dissapointed (so much worse!) but God responds by allowing Elijah to experience God’s own presence. Have a read of what happens…

1 Kings 19:11-18 (The Message)

Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?” Elijah said it again, “I’ve been working my heart out for God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.”

God said, “Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael; make him king over Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi; make him king over Israel. Finally, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Anyone who escapes death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu; and anyone who escapes death by Jehu will be killed by Elisha. Meanwhile, I’m preserving for myself seven thousand souls: the knees that haven’t bowed to the god Baal, the mouths that haven’t kissed his image.”

Elijah was used to God working in big, dramatic ways. Just remember the whole Mount Carmel thing! God knew what Elijah needed when he was depressed and discouraged; hiding in a cave. He needed to experience God’s presence.

But God first showed Elijah that He wasn’t to be found in the wind, the earthquake or the fire…

God was in the still small whisper.

It’s something that we need to remember. So often we think God only works in BIG ways. Elijah needed to know this about God too.

When Elijah did hear from God in the still small voice, God gave him a task to do. He gave him direction.

Right now so many of us have had our diaries cleared (or, if not cleared, definitely re-shaped) and our routines changed. When we have a task and a focus it takes us away from looking into ourselves. Elijah’s new task took him away from getting down about his own situation and brought him round to getting on with what God wanted him to do.

At the moment I believe that God is calling the church to seek His presence in the storm, to listen for His call and to love those around us. That will look different for each of us: it might mean giving your friend who gets lonely a call, or offering to get some extra bits from the shop for a neighbour…

Have a think about some of these things:

• How could you make time in your week to listen to God?
• Have you ever tried silent prayer?
• What s God calling you to do right now?

Make some time to pray about some of these. You pray with some worship on in the background or (if you have a printer) colour in these sheets from Energize.