“Go Again”

How many of us give up in the “middle” or pass judgment on what is happening in our lives? Have you ever started something and because it became difficult you gave up before the end? A prime example can be found in the bible when Elijah instructed his servant in 1 King 18: 43-44 to “go again” for seven times before he finally saw a little cloud the size of a man’s hand, rising out of the sea. Then Elijah took an even bigger step by instructing his servant to tell Ahab to prepare his chariot and leave quickly because the rain was coming. Do you think Elijah had an inkling of doubt, but his faith was bigger because of his determination displayed by sending his servant back seven times?

We are in a season where doubt can not only creep in but stop us dead in our tracks. “Go Again” is not even an option when doubt has taken hold. Doubt has the potential to stops us from doing what we are called to do because it disrupts the core of belief – belief in ourselves, our God, in our purpose, and in the possibility of success. Doubt stops us because it creates uncertainty- and the human brain craves certainty. At its core, doubt signals a perceived risk: that we might fail, be judged, lose something, or not live up to expectations (our own or others).

Do you have the drive, determination, or motivation to go again? Or are you feeling depleted? I overheard a conversation between two people, and one said just “don’t throw in the towel” but the feedback was “I can’t even find my towel”! We all go through times that it feels like there is a “compounding” effect is happening in our lives with several changes all happening at once. An ideal way to describe it is “the past, present and the future” have collided.

How do we “go again” in our personal lives? In one of my devotionals by Lysa Terkeurst (Seeing Beautiful Again) she reinforces the point that “it’s not easy to keep going with God’s instructions when there is no evidence of our situation changing. It’s hard to continue moving forward when we don’t see God move the way we thought He would. Nevertheless, there are key points (look, climb, prepare) on how Elijah instructs his servant initially for him to “go again” that we can learn from:

• Elijah instructs his servant to look towards the sea. Sometimes we must shift our focus or perspective at the onset so we can remain steadfast throughout the process. Try to avoid focusing on others and their journey because this can deplete and discourage you to “go again.” Oftentimes we see the finished product of someone else’s journey and we have no idea how many times that they have fought to stay focused and challenge their perspective before the victory.
• Elijah instructs his servant to climb to a “higher” point on Mount Carmel for a better view. Could we be operating on a lower level than what we should? Is our vision or view obstructed by life issues? Are we focusing on what is happening in real time versus looking at the bigger picture?
• Finally, Elijah instructs his servant to prepare his chariot and leave before the rain delays him. This was after seeing a small cloud, no thunder or rain. Are we willing to move in faith and prepare before we have what we believe? Elijah was not preparing for a quick shower of rain but rather a downpour with the potential to delay traveling. What are you preparing for?

These key points of adjusting your vision, climbing to a higher point in your thinking, and preparing to receive could all be “game changers” for you and me!

Make the decision that either you are going to make it OR you are going to make it. No other option!! Having this mentality coupled with Elijah’s key points will hopefully help you to “Go Again” and walk by the measure of faith you have inside of you and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)

Best regards,

Dr. G