Greetings St. John’s Lutheran Church!

[Elijah] went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. –1 Kings 19:4-6a

In this text, the prophet Elijah has just been threatened by the powerful Queen Jezebel, who says that she will kill him. Terrified and depressed, Elijah flees into the wilderness and literally lays down to die. He has lost all hope and is ready to give up. It may seem trivial in the midst of such horrible circumstances for God to send an angel with bread and water, but it is this simple meal that keeps Elijah going for another day and eventually gives him energy to continue his journey.

In the midst of horrible circumstances, it can seem like the tide has turned against us and nothing in the world could possibly make things any better. It is normal in times like this to feel anxious and depressed, to feel that God has abandoned us. Perhaps, you have felt like this, or you have seen a loved one suffer from anxiety and depression caused by horrible circumstances.

Our desire may be for God to end it all or completely rescue us from our pain, but it is often an angel offering sustenance – a comforting hand, a listening ear, a home-cooked meal – that can give us the energy to make it through one more day. Enough of these small gestures can help someone going through something truly horrible to make the journey to the other side.

As a congregation, we are thinking and praying about providing a supportive ministry to families with loved ones suffering from addiction. While the problem of addiction can feel overwhelming, support that provides a meeting space, listening ears, and educational resources can go a long way towards helping families make the journey to the other side.

Contact our office to learn more and support this ministry.

In Christ, Pastor Kat