Not long ago, I was reading in 1 Kings and God showed me some encouraging things about this work we are doing. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah goes to King Ahab and tells him that it wasn't going to rain until he said so. God then leads Elijah to a place where he can hide and take care of him. He commanded ravens to bring him bread in the morning and meat in the evening. Elijah was camped next to a stream of water so he could drink during the divine drought. The bible doesn't say how long Elijah stayed by the brook but when it dried up, God moved him into the care of a widow. She needed Elijah as much as Elijah needed her, she was out of food and her son died from an illness. God used Elijah to miraculously provide for the lady and raise her son back to life. 1 Kings 18 begins with a time maker, "After many days" and "in the third year" God sends Elijah back to King Ahab to tell him it's going to rain. This confrontation created a competition between the God of Israel and his prophet Elijah and the god known as Baal and his prophets. After a stunning victory, Elijah tells the king, it's time to get out the umbrella. He ascends to the top of Mt. Carmel and prays and sends his servant to look at the skies for the rain. Finally, after seven trips to view the sky, a small cloud forms and the rain comes.
Serving at LSCC has been the greatest adventure of my life. I can see how God has provided for us, almost daily, as we seek to bring Him glory, lift up Jesus name and grow the Kingdom. We have been in the time of the ravens for a while now, seeing God take care of us and use us in this community. Like the widow's son, God has brought dead people back to life through this ministry and the lives of people who call LSCC home. The hard part about the time of the ravens is waiting for the time of the rain, the BIG growth spurt or BIG movement of God, which can make the time of the ravens seem less than the time of the rain or even like a failure. Your heart battles discouragement and discontentment wondering if the rain will ever come.
I'm learning that God is doing His work during this time and to be content with the way He is providing and leading. I'm also learning to keep my eye on the sky and pray for the rain while being faithful to the things God gives me to do with the ravens. Watching, waiting and working ~ pastor greg
PS: Merry Christmas!
