Building Belonging in a Lonely WorldExemple

Devotion 5: For the Long Haul

Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19 relays the sense of futility and despondency we ourselves might encounter when attempting to support people who do not respond like we want them to. We want to love and support people unconditionally, but if we are honest with ourselves, we do set conditions… and maybe sometimes that’s a good thing?

In our modern phrasing, we might say that Elijah was burnt out, and he had certainly lost his compassion for the very people God had called him to love. This can happen to us, too. We see a need and are compelled to respond, but because we don’t set and keep the right boundaries from the start, we eventually get exhausted.

In Mark 12:32, Jesus, quoting the Old Testament, instructs us to love our neighbour as ourselves. We read this like we love ourselves and should show the same love for others, but this goes both ways. Jesus’ words also underline the necessity of looking after ourselves to be able to care for others. You can’t offer water from an empty well.

Remaining spiritually, mentally, and physically nourished helps us authentically love others. This is what God shows Elijah in 1 Kings 19. God doesn’t take away Elijah’s calling; God shows him how to achieve it without it killing him, literally.

Prayerfully Consider: What is your response to this statement: “We want to love and support people unconditionally, but if we are honest with ourselves, we do set conditions… and maybe sometimes that’s a good thing?”

For more on this, please see Session 5 of The Belonging Course.