This week we meet one of the better known prophets, Elijah.  The reading from 1 Kings 19:1-15 sits alongside Luke 8:26-39.

We meet Elijah - one of the heavy-weights of Biblical prophets, with some major miracles to his name - hiding away in a desert.  He's running scared - having seriously irked the evil queen Jezebel by killing all her false-prophets.  (It is, indeed, a colourful story).  He's gone from a moment of triumph to absolute quaking-in-your-boots cowardly terror.  In fact, he hides himself so far from anywhere - running without thinking about it -  that he finds himself in the middle of the desert with no food or water... which is a bit silly really.  But he's so scared and worried he's in a place where he thinks the best way out is death.  That is a dark place to be.

But God is not done with him.  Even there, even in the middle of the desert, in the middle of his despair, his absolute despondency He reaches out to Elijah, and revives him.  In one of the greatest moments of history for bakers everywhere, God's response is to meet Elijah in his deepest need, and provide him - miraculously - with cake.  It does the trick, it gets him on his feet, and on his way... but...  as with all quick, glib fixes, it's not enough.  And it gets him only as far as a cave, hidden away again in fear and despair.

But again, God will not give up on him.  And he questions him deeply, and probingly, asking Elijah to be honest about who he is, and where he is.  And then, in turn, God displays himself, and reveals himself.  He takes Elijah outside the cave, and wows him with an awesome windstorm that shatters the rocks of the mountain; and then he shows him an earthquake, shaking the ground and Elijah's feet; and then he reveals a torrent of fire, burning with heavenly splendour...  This is the power, the might, the awe of God.  Except... it's not.  The story tells us, "but the Lord was not in the wind... but the Lord was not in the earthquake...  but the Lord was not in the fire"  

After these mighty acts comes what some have translated as 'a still small voice', others 'a sound of sheer silence' - an absence, a peace, a calmness, so deep it's tangible - and, we're told, this is where God is.  Beneath the bluster, the pomp, the need to put on a good show, or the right face... beyond having to be strong, or powerful, or impressive...  in the stillness of simply being, this is where God is.

It's almost as if God's saying - I know what it's like to be weak, and empty, to be powerless, and voiceless... and in those places, I can draw next to you, and be with you, and meet you.  And in that meeting, I can offer you the strength of my very being - the strength, the security, the foundation that underpins everything.  Your weakness, your sorrow, your despair and worry - that too can be a way of finding me.

Pause for Prayer:  All of us at times find ourselves with Elijah in places of despair, worry, fear, and anxiety.  If that's where you are right now, know that you are not alone - and there is no shame in being there.  Even if you can't feel it, touch it, taste it, or see it - God is with you, even now, even in that place.  And in this place, it's OK to let others do the praying for you if you can't manage it.

But know, like Elijah, you don't have to face this alone - you can call a friend, reach out to family, or speak to a doctor.  You can always call Samaritans, at any time, for free on 116 123.