And invariably at these low moments the Lord smiles and says, “Rise and
eat! You will need your strength.” And I remember Elijah eating pancakes
in the desert.

For in the end it’s not a matter of our effort or the structure we
imagine we need to build, but that he called, and we come, and he will
be there to bless us as a good parent welcomes home a son or daughter.

He reminds me how he ridiculed King David for proposing to build the
Temple. “You will build a place for me? No, I’ve always been the one
that built a place for YOU.”

Like David, I get into project mode. I want to honor God (and perhaps
impress onlookers) by building a grand, smoothly operating place for him
to dwell. Twenty-four hours! Twelve slots! A full band in each slot!
God’s presence invoked in a Glory cloud!

The fact is, all God did was call us. Our “work,” if it can be so
called, is simply to come into his presence already established and be
blessed and extend his call to others; not ensure a response.

Did Jesus freak out when people didn’t respond to his call? Was he
disappointed that out of all Israel only a ragtag dozen came to his
cause? When the grand structure of his Body did not come together before
he had to go? When a 24/7 tabernacle was not completed among all people?

No, because he came only to make a way and to call people to that way.
Jesus would have succeeded as well with no disciples as with a million.
Nevertheless, those few that came to him were blessed beyond anything
they could ever have expected.

I want to say, you who come, come however you can, with whatever
musicians and instruments and heart or lack thereof, but remember that it is God that builds a place for you, not you for him. Come with all the jars you can carry, to catch the oil he wants to pour out abundantly for you. Let’s be greedy to enjoy together the place he has prepared for our feast!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Burn Fox Valley