The Seclusion is an Opportunity for Reflection
This context of seclusion has been an opportunity for us to reflect on some relevant aspects of our Christian dynamics and how we respond as Christians to this global pandemic crisis. I was reading the experience of the prophet Elijah when due to the confrontation with the prophets of baal having evidenced the supernatural power of God who answers his prayer with fire from the heavens, consuming the holocaust that was prepared by Elijah, in confrontation with the baal and his followers who despite their appeals even with physical mutilation (custom at the time), had no response from their god, and were later executed. This aroused the ire of Queen Jezebel, who upon hearing of the death of her prophets, ordered the execution of Elijah, who fled to hide in a cave in fear of the Queen.
He voluntarily entered a period of seclusion, a unique opportunity for him to reflect on the most relevant and important things. So, seclusion becomes an opportunity for reflection. In our case due to the pandemic seclusion ends up being involuntary. Making a parallel between both experiences seclusion can be an opportunity to reflect our “Identity in God”. In the case of Elijah, God himself repeatedly questions what he was doing there (1 Kings 19: 9-14). And his response is followed by a religious-victimization discourse of how much he has been serving the Lord and of his faithfulness among the “many who went astray” from the Lord's ways and bowed down to baal, as the last remnant of the entire nation of Israel, now marked to die due to the Queen's wrath.
In the biblical context God calls Elijah out of the cave to let him know HE was with him and invites him to “stay in His presence” (vs. 11). God manifests himself in different ways as in a great and strong wind, which was certainly felt/heard by Elijah, but God was not in the wind; then in an earthquake which was also felt/heard by him, but God was not in it; in the fire that passed in front of the cave seen/felt by the prophet, but God was not in the fire; and, finally, a whisper in a gentle breeze heard/felt by him understanding that God's presence was in it and so he left the cave. God was present in the whisper and softness of the breeze in the context of Elijah's inner conflict, who felt himself from that safe moment to enter in God’s presence.
In times of seclusion like this and inner conflicts, voluntarily and/or involuntarily, we sometimes feel lost about our identity, who we are in God, and his call/purpose for our lives. In this context of seclusion like Elijah we dwell on the conquests and ostracism solitude, which can become an enemy instead of simply being in the presence of the Lord. Only when we decide to break this wrapper do we realize that HE is present, not in the swirls of adverse situations that we experience, in the headwinds, in the shaking that life gives us, in the burning fire of our affective-relational issues, but in the soft breeze whispering, I am here. One who promotes “the peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4: 7).
Also it is interesting to emphasize the fact that God sends the prophet back the same way (vs. 15). To return on the same path is “to bring to mind what brings us hope” (Lm. 3:21). For the prophet Elijah it was to remember who he was in God, what HE had done in his life and through his life, the covering and authority he had in the presence of God, his calling and commissioning as a prophet, as well as of God's supernatural manifestations throughout his life. This was what strengthened the prophet on his journey to leave the cave, to be in the presence of God, and to return the same way he was. This reveals to us that God is with us, that our strength is in HIM, and that we need to break with the wrap-around us to be in HIS presence and remain firm.
Elijah's seclusion also reveals his humanity, his “limitations and fears” of something that has to do with our nature (vs. 3, 10,14). There is nothing wrong with being afraid, it is natural and even healthy. Fear helps us to be more careful and cautious with the situations around us. However, fear cannot be the compass and parameter for our lives, as we can become slaves to it and hide from the reality that surrounds us. Elijah's fear was real and had to do with his life, but fear could not prevent him from continuing his mission, it did not determine who he was in God. And the Lord's presence was notorious, something that fear was overshadowing. In this context of seclusion it is natural to be afraid, to be cautious about exposure, but it cannot determine who we are.
Our identity in God, who we are in HIM, the experiences we had with HIM are the primary factors to overcome our fear of what we are living, and what is to come. We as Christians should consider a great privilege to be living these historical moments of the humanity of what the Lord Jesus said would happen in the “times of the end”, of a scenario very well described by HIM even of the signs of the times, of the revelations left for we could follow and be attentive to His return. We cannot let our fears stagnate us, because the “true love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). HE is the expression of true love, remembering that this love is sacrificial, and nothing we do can compare.
Seclusion is also an opportunity to reflect on “solitude & collectivity”. The solitude in the aspect of enjoying this time alone with God, aligning our relationship with HIM, the intimacy that we can enjoy in these times of seclusion, as well as delighting in HIS presence. The collectivity, as in the case of Elijah, who ‘found himself’ alone while God affirms that there were seven thousand who did not bow down (vs. 18), reveals the aspect of the Church of Christ, of the Christian communities around the world, a reflection that we are not alone but that there are hundreds of thousands of worshipers, a multitude that unites in prayer and praise in this battle that is not only pandemic and political-economic, but rather, a spiritual battle to which the whole Church of Christ is part of.
In this context we can take the opportunity to “reflect on our reaction” as Christians. Elijah tried to escape and hide from reality until he was called to reason. What about us? Is this intervention necessary? I want to believe that not, because as a Church we can give a positive answer to what is happening taking advantage of all the technology we have in our favor to connect with people, combine our strengths, encourage each other, be the necessary support for those who need it. We are inmates but not immobilized, understanding our role as a Church at this moment being an answer, and the great privilege of being part of this moment, bringing to an end the commissioning of being Church and bringing light to those who are still imprisoned in the darkness.
In the personal experience of Elijah God gave the necessary guidelines to “return where he came from, to anoint Hazael as king of Aram; Jehu as King of Israel; and Elisha as a prophet” (vs. 15:16). What were the guidelines that God gave us as a Church through Jesus Christ? Our call is to preach the gospel to everyone without distinction, to make disciples of all nations, to disciple and baptize our brothers until HE returns (Mt. 24:14; 28: 18-20). We have to take advantage of all the possible opportunities, starting with our families in the context in which we are, but we can go beyond that with all the technological availability that we have at our disposal today, as HE is at the door and the signs are gradually being fulfilled. We just need to be attentive and attuned to what has been happening around the world in recent years.
And, at the last but not least important, seclusion is an opportunity to reflect on the “Sovereignty of God”. As in the case of the prophet feeling alone and afraid as if God was not in control of the situation, besides revealing to Elijah that there were seven thousand who had not bowed to baal, HE ordered him to anoint those who would be the kings and subsequent prophet (vv. 19-21). God was in control including preparing Elijah's successor, aware of his limitations and tiredness. Elijah obeyed and it's something of extreme relevance, instead of remaining in seclusion, preparing and discipling who would succeed him in the mission. And, for us it is a lesson about obedience in difficult times regardless of the context that we are in, understanding that God is in control of everything!
Everything we are experiencing today at the global level, both the pandemic and the political-economic crisis, doesn’t escape from God's control! HE is more interested in our heart's motivation and our willingness to obey. HE is still in control of history and facts, emphasizing that HE was not the creator of the situation, as it has to do with our fallen nature, but that HE is still in control of the history, to go through this unique moment of our history as humanity, for it is part of the signs that denounce that the Lord Jesus is ever closer to returning, to take up HIS throne and to continue reigning over our lives. Until HE comes it is our responsibility to continue with the extension of HIS Kingdom so that all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations, are in the presence of the Lamb of God (Rev. 7: 9), to reign with HIM triumphant!
Maranatha, come soon Lord Jesus !!!