Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” I King 19:7 NLT
He sat under the broom tree mentally and physically exhausted. The physical exhaustion was natural since he had walked all day but the mental exhaustion was years in the making. Years of planting, watering, tending and toiling with nothing to show. Was it even worth all the time and energy he put into it? He didn’t think so. He was done.
Elijah’s story
This is the prophet Elijah at his bleakest moment. Coincidentally it was right after his greatest moments. He had just challenged the gods of Baal and won. He then predicted a rainstorm after years of famine and it happened. And if all that wasn’t impressive, God gave him superhuman strength to outrun King Ahab’s chariot.
It was an eventful couple of days. Elijah was doing well until he got a death threat from Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife. This drove the good mood out. He fled into the wilderness, sat underneath a broom tree and prayed to die. It’s a strange and unexpected plot twist.
Why would Jezebel’s ultimatum send Elijah over the edge like that? She’s just a mortal being, whereas; Elijah had witnessed the power of God working through him. He had just seen God do the impossible. Surely, he wasn’t intimidated by a death threat?
Thankfully, Elijah explains his behavior. His explanation is recorded in 1 Kings 19:3-14. To summarize, he says he’s faithfully served God, and yet, despite all his efforts, the people of Israel refused to change and continue to make questionable decisions. Now they’ve threatened to kill him too, the only prophet they haven’t killed.
Elijah poured his blood, sweat and tears for these people. In return for his faithful service, they want to kill him. What was the purpose of his mission if this was their attitude?
The fundamental question
Elijah is asking a question all moms (or caregivers) ask themselves: Does what I do matter? Does the time and energy I pour into this individual make a difference especially when I don’t see anything?
To the moms who are wrestling with this question, I want to let you know it does matter. I don’t know how much your child grasps the level of care you provide but everything you do matters. Every sacrifice you make and every ounce of love you give to take care of your child is recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
God sees under the broom tree
God sees your dedication. He knows the sacrifices and he understands the frustration. He knows there are days when you’ve come to the end of yourself. Days when you want to go into the wilderness and sit underneath a broom tree, as far away from all the mess as possible. But God says: Sweet child, get up and eat, nourish yourself or the journey ahead will be too much. You are precious to Him. He entrusted this child into your care and everything you do for him, you are doing to God. So thank you for all the sacrifices you make to faithfully serve God. And don’t be ashamed if there are days you need to step back and take a break. Go ahead, because God sees even under the broom tree.