RTW 2023

Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

1 Kings 19:4

Elijah says, “I can’t do this anymore, LORD.” The work was stressful, exhausting, and seemed to accomplish nothing.

Ministry is heavy, stressful, exhausting, and sometimes it seems we accomplish nothing. Elijah had had enough. He expected the people to repent and return to God, but they didn’t. Often our greatest work of ministry, can seem like our greatest failure. The great work on Mount Carmel did not result in a lasting national revival nor a return to the LORD.

• Then she went alone to the beach, traveling several hours. She down in her chair, dug her feet in the sand, stared out into the vastness of the ocean’s horizon, and said, “I’ve had enough Lord.”

It is so easy to stop when ministry endeavors don’t turn out like we expected. All our work, time, resources, blood, sweat and tears, and things did not go as planned.

It’s easy to think you are the only faithful one left, and because what you’ve done, doesn’t seem to be effective, you want to quit.

There have been days, many many days, that I’ve had enough.

Ministry success

• is based on obedience, not because it turned out like we planned.
• isn’t based on numbers, likes, followers, or a head count.
• will always be followed with temptation or trial.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is press reset; unplug and allow the Lord to nourish and replenish you.

Because:

There is always more work to do, until Jesus comes back for us all, or comes for us individually, there is always work to be done.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9

“The spirit needs to be fed, and the body needs feeding also. Do not forget these matters; it may seem to some people that I ought not to mention such small things as food and rest, but these may be the very first elements in really helping a poor depressed servant of God.” – Charles Spurgeon

• Then she went alone to run errands; chiropractor, groceries, and post office. In her car, she cried alone to God and said, “This is why I didn’t want to do this. I’ve had enough.”
  
  Then through the storm that was churning inside, the small voice of God speaks through kind lips of another to encourage her… and she kept going.

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How did Obadiah hide 100 prophets of the Lord? How long were they in those caves? I can’t imagine what they thought hiding in the caves for so long.

Only God determines when my ministry life is enough.