Weary and Worthy

“Rest is radical because it disrupts the lie that we are not doing enough. It shouts: ‘No, that is a lie. I am enough. I am worthy now and always because I am here.'”
― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Is some of the weariness we’re carrying connected to what we believe, deep down in the hiddenness of our souls, about our worthiness? Tricia Hershey reminds us that although so much in the world around us tells us that we have to hustle to prove ourselves, meet certain markers and milestones to claim our dignity, these are lies. We are created worthy. We are beloved before we do anything at all.

You’re invited to take a few minutes to read this story from the Hebrew Scriptures about a man, Elijah, who had been working so hard, so zealously, in the midst of so many enemies for his God. Allow yourself to feel his weariness. How do you imagine God might respond to his exhausted frustration? How do you want God to respond to Elijah and to you?

Now [the evil king] Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 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.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

1 Kings 19:1-8

What emotions emerge as you imagine God whispering overyou, “it’s ok - the journey is too much for you”? Can you picture God inviting you to take a long nap in a safe place or sit down at the table of goodness God sets for you? What does it feel like like? What does it taste like?

May it be so. AMEN.