Where’s There?

 ^“And the word of the Lord came to him:  “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”                        1 Kings 17:2-4

Over 25 years ago I moved to Marietta, Georgia. In those days, before navigational systems, directions were found via paper maps or by calling a proprietor and asking for the easiest route. I discovered Marietta folks steered from one place, The Big Chicken – a 56-foot-tall steel-sided structure designed in the appearance of a chicken. From “there” all points were north, south, east, or west. Having never visited the infamous structure, I realized the importance of doing so. If I wanted to travel anywhere I needed to discover the “there” point of routing reference.

In 1 Kings, God directed Elijah the prophet to the Brook Cherith. Previously, Elijah delivered a doom and gloom message before the king, “no dew or rain for three years…” After his pronouncement, God sent the prophet into hiding at Cherith. No backpacks or coolers. The brook was to quench his thirst and the ravens to bring him bread and meat. If the brook dried up or the birds failed to arrive, Elijah was a dead man. But God delivered as He promised. Elijah stayed “there” until God re-routed him.

At Cherith, Elijah was alone. There, he was dependent on God for sustenance – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While the brook eventually dried up, Elijah didn’t. As a mother bird spreads her wing over her chicks for protection, under the shadow of the Almighty, Elijah found deliverance.

To be honest, I haven’t always loved my “there” place of hiding. I’ve desired to be in wide open spaces, to see the bright city lights, to be in exciting places with exciting people. Yet, God in His wisdom directed me to the wilderness. There, He became my reason for living, not the people or places I craved. He fed, grew, and equipped me for my next assignment. Only after my “there” experience could he use me for His design and purposes.

Are you kicking and whining over your hiding place? Today I encourage you to rest and be refreshed there. God will re-route when He knows you are ready. Let Him feed you. Rest at your “there.” Another assignment awaits you. Quiet expectation…