June 17th, 2026

Read  1 Kings 19:6-7

He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 

Much to Elijah’s surprise, he wakes at some point at the touch of an angel who tells him to wake up and eat. Elijah (likely shocked and wondering whether he was dead or alive!) complies, and then immediately falls back asleep. The whole interaction happens again, but the second time it includes additional information “the journey will be too much for you”. 

Put yourself in Elijah’s sandals for a minute. You were ready to die, but an angel wakes you up and feeds you, and the second time he also tells you that you’ll need strength for the journey. Essentially, the angel is telling Elijah – “there is more to the story than you know – there is a journey coming up!”. 

What would mean more to you? The provision of food, or the provision of purpose? Given where Elijah was at when he collapsed under the tree, I have to imagine that the affirmation of purpose was what really filled Elijah with strength for the next 40 days. 

God-given purpose can change our lives, but sometimes we have to be willing to let go of our own desires in order to receive it. Sometimes, we have to come to the end of ourselves to make space for God. Take some time to reflect today on your purpose or calling. Ask God to help you better understand it with time. 

Prayer: God, sometimes I forget that even though you don’t need me, you want me. You invite us, your broken, faint-hearted children, to take part in your redemptive plan in the world. Help me see more clearly what that looks like for me in the space where you have placed me.