Unraveled Purpose: Elijah’s Test of Faith
If you've ever found yourself totally worn out—mentally, emotionally, or spiritually—you’re in good company. The prophet Elijah has been there too. His story in 1 Kings 18 and 19 is one of the most powerful and human parts of the Bible. It’s filled with mountaintop moments and deep valleys, bold faith and honest fear. And honestly? His test of faith sounds a lot like real life.
It starts with a high-stakes showdown. Elijah goes toe-to-toe with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, calling out their worship of the false god Baal. He throws down a challenge: let’s each build an altar. The prophets of Baal can cry out to their god, and Elijah will pray to the Lord. Whichever god sends fire to burn up the offering—that’s the real one.
The prophets of Baal shout and dance and plead all day long... and nothing happens. Then Elijah prays a simple prayer to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—and fire falls from heaven. It’s a jaw-dropping, unforgettable moment. The people watching know without a doubt: the Lord is God.
But then, just as quickly, everything falls apart.
Queen Jezebel threatens Elijah’s life, and the bold prophet who just called down fire from heaven? He runs. He flees into the wilderness, terrified and utterly spent. Elijah is so overwhelmed he begs God to let him die. He’s unraveling—body, mind, and spirit.
When Elijah’s Test of Faith Gets Real
This is where the story gets deeply real. Elijah doesn’t get a pep talk or a lightning bolt. Instead, he gets rest. A nap. A meal. And eventually, he meets God again—but not in fire or wind or earthquake. God shows up in a quiet whisper. A still small voice.
That’s the turning point. Not the big miracle on the mountain, but the quiet moment in the cave. That whisper reminds Elijah that God hasn’t left him. That his life still has purpose. That even though things didn’t go the way he planned, God is still at work—and so is Elijah’s call.
Sleeping Elijah by He Qi, oil on canvas. Used with permission by artist. Permission granted May 2025.
When Our Sense of Purpose Unravels
I wonder if you’ve ever had a moment like that—when things didn’t go the way you thought they would, and you found yourself in a place of exhaustion or doubt. Elijah’s story reminds us that we don’t need to chase the dramatic moments to find God. Sometimes God meets us in the quiet, when we finally slow down enough to listen.
In those moments—when life feels unraveled—God doesn’t abandon us. God renews us. Not with flashy signs, but with holy silence. With a nudge. With enough strength to take the next step.
Elijah’s unraveling wasn’t the end of his story. It was the beginning of something deeper, more sustainable, and more faithful. And maybe the same is true for us.
