The Dichotomy of the Blessing
I had a revelation about Elijah on Mount Carmel today but before I share let’s read the famous story in 1 Kings:
“And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.”
1 Kings 18:41-46 NIV
In this scripture, people tend to focus on the ending of this story “the hand of the Lord came on Elijah and he ran ahead of Ahab” (yes I paraphrased). This portion of the scripture points to the fact that Elijah experienced the power of God and this resulted in him experiencing supernatural speed.
However, when I read the scripture today the Holy Spirit highlighted something else to me. He drew my attention to the preceding words: the sky grew black with clouds.
Have you ever been in a place where it rains pretty heavily? You will agree that just before the rain comes the clouds indeed get quite dark and the winds are heavy. With such conditions it oftentimes feels scary especially when the winds are extremely strong. I’ll go as far as saying that with really strong winds it can be hazardous.
What am I getting at? Before a period of heavy rainfall things can seem pretty bleak.
It got me thinking: what if this same principle applies in our lives? What if just before someone receives an abundance of supernatural blessings from God their lives look like it’s “black with clouds?” ie things seem pretty bleak, uncomfortable, and perhaps even scary. Maybe a person starts feeling a confluence of mixed emotions: joy, pain, fear, excitement, anxiety and the like.
As I was reflecting on my life, I noticed that this moment felt like a dichotomy. I am heavy with great expectation and at the same time working through some very uncomfortable things that if not managed well can usher in fear and anxiety (both of which are not of God). Such a sharp contrast: joy and expectation, anxiety and fear.
But I’m not alone in this and we can see this in the scripture:
“Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.”
1 Kings 18:45 NIV
The sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose ~> a point that can usher in anxiety and fear
A heavy rain started ~> a source of great joy given that they had been in severe famine for a long period of time
We see that even in that scripture the dichotomy exists: joy and fear. We see it in other places too: childbirth. I’ve not yet gone through childbirth though I have heard a few tales about the experience. People oftentimes speak about the pain of labour and how it can be excruciating but at the same time the joy when your child is put in your arms is indescribable. So here again we have the same dichotomy: great joy and great pain.
So what am I saying to you? If you feel like you’ve been waiting on God and sitting at His feet for a while and you find yourself navigating this dichotomy perhaps it’s a sign that you’re at the end? Labour pains come at the end. The clouds are black when the rainfall is set to be very heavy. Perhaps the pain you’re experiencing is a tell-tale sign that the end is here.
If you can accept this beautiful point then it means you have to keep your mind on joy. Don’t allow pain, fear or anxiety to usurp the joy in your heart. The bible tells us that Jesus pressed on because He set His mind on the joy that was before Him:
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
To manage this dichotomy fix your eyes on the things that bring joy. Allow yourself dream and get excited of seeing the tangible manifestation of your promises. Don’t focus on the momentary pain you may be feeling, or the sudden jabs of fear the enemy may be tossing at you. They are all distractions.
You are at the end and God is so proud of you. Keep your eyes on Him, put your mind on joyful things and by His grace you will cross over victoriously.
All my love,
Tumi
