COMMUNITY AND COMPANIONSHIP MATTER
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, ‘Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.’” 1 Kings 19:20, ESV
Theme: To escape the pit of depression, allow other people in and nurture companionship.
ONLY I AM LEFT
In middle school, I often felt alone. My body felt weird, I didn’t look much like my friends. As I lost that total trust that my parents knew everything, they could no longer assure and comfort me as much as they once had. I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. When we moved from California to North Carolina and hadn’t yet found a community, I felt very lonely. It took a while to join a church, a Life Group, and community, even though we jumped in right away.
When I had my first baby, my friendships changed, my body changed, and I felt like it was the only person forced into this change. When Elijah was wandering, being fed, resting and then continuing on his journey, the next obstacle he encountered was loneliness and doubt. “He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away’” (1 Kings 19:10, ESV).
STILL FEELING ALONE
Elijah misses close community with God and with God’s people. An angel had just fed him a meal and taken care of Him, yet Elijah feels alone and abandoned. However, God has not left Elijah alone at all. In this moment, God reveals Himself to Elijah not in a strong wind, earthquake, or a raging fire, but in a whisper. Elijah is standing around after experiencing God when, “...behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away’” (1 Kings 19:13b-14, ESV). Nothing changed for Elijah. He was still waiting for God to move, even after God had moved. So, God commands Elijah to get moving and reveals that Elijah isn’t the only faithful one left.
OBEY BEFORE YOU ARE HEALED
Elijah does what God asks. He goes. On the way, he finds Elisha working. This man becomes his companion, follower, and apprentice. God had a plan to refresh Elijah and that plan included community. Elijah half-heartedly tries to reject Elisha as a follower, but with great commitment, Elisha burns his work tools, gives up everything, and commits to follow Elijah and the Lord. So Elijah allows Elisha to become part of his team, and even that small community changes everything.
BETTER TOGETHER
When my third child was born, he was one year younger than his cousin. My sister-in-law and I had been friendly, but not close friends. In that season, we banded together, nursing, working out, walking, and shopping together with our small children. During COVID lockdowns, we clung to each other. Our kids had one playmate each.
It is always easier to make my own schedule and do my own thing. But that lifestyle leads to loneliness and isn’t sustainable long-term. We really do function better together.
Make it personal: In what ways do you nurture healthy community? How might you find community if it is currently lacking? Take one step today. Here’s a link to the open Life Groups if that is a possible next step for you. https://my.covechurch.org/GroupFinder Another option is reaching out to a friend from your circle to connect more deeply, or to return that text or call from someone who has reached out to you. Whatever it is, take that step.
Pray: Lord, You created us for community with You and for each other. Help me to value my relationships. Help me to be intentional about getting into and prioritizing community. Thank You, Lord, for the people You have put in my life. May I encourage them as they have encouraged me!
Read: Genesis 2:18; Hebrews 10:24-25
Weekly Memory Verse: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9, ESV