GOD IS DOWN-TO-EARTH

READ: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you. – 1 Kings 19:7

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 4-6

The more challenging life becomes, the more we long for a down-to-earth spiritually to help us with the challenge. We’re sceptical of believers who are “so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Yet we seldom get the balance right.

Author Os Guinness writes that we usually end up “being either practical at the expense of being spiritual or spiritual at the expense of being practical.” He points out that paradoxically, it is God who gets it right. God was never more down-to-earth than when Jesus came into the world. It was Jesus, God’s divine Son, who became truly human by taking on human flesh. Therefore, Guinness concludes, the one who is the most spiritual (God) ended up being the most practical!

How God dealt with Elijah is a prime example of His practicality. Guinness points out that “God’s remedy for Elijah’s depression was not a refresher course in theology but food and sleep.” Only then did He confront Elijah gently about his spiritual error.

If you are discouraged because you are tired or overworked, God’s initial remedy for you is probably extra sleep or a day off. The most practical remedy, if it’s the right one, is usually the most spiritual one. – Joanie Yoder

When we’re discouraged spiritually

And fear and doubt assail our soul,

We may just need to rest awhile

Before God heals and makes us whole. – Sper

If we don’t come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart. – Havner