Consider the Ravens

June 8, 2010

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

When Jessica returned a few weeks ago from a trip to Alaska with Morningside College, she brought me a souvenir. It is a lovely picture of a raven, which I now display on my office desk. Admittedly, the only things I knew about ravens prior to her trip were that Edgar Allan Poe wrote a poem about them and that they were a football team from Baltimore.

She explained that in Alaskan Native spirituality, ravens carry significant meaning. Some mythologies believe that a raven created the world and continues to bring forth daylight. The Kaigani Haida people of southern Alaska claim a story of how a raven one day found and freed some male humans trapped in a clam. It then decided to pair them with female counterparts, thus initiating interactions between men and women and propagating the human race. The Haida believe that since then, the raven has been a protector and provider for all human beings.

Lest you think such stories are too strange to be meaningful, consider the Scriptures. I was looking at my raven picture when I thought about 1 Kings 17. You heard the story last Sunday: an exhausted, starving, and fearful Elijah discovered the healing power of ravens. He had just declared a lengthy drought upon the land and was led by God for isolation in the wilderness. But twice daily, God sent the birds to feed him meat and bread, and provided the fresh water of the river of Cherith. Through the ravens, he received just enough sustenance to make it through every day. Newly strengthened, Elijah emerged from the wilderness ready to do the work of ministry.

If we’re honest, there are many of us who find ourselves in the wilderness in this very moment. We suffer from long, drawn out droughts of loneliness, frustration, grief, and anxiety. It may have been a long, long time since you’ve felt the fresh rains of joy and peace soak through your souls, your spirits, and your relationships. So let the story of Elijah at Cherith remind you that this period of your life can be a blessing, as you learn dependence on God and not on your own means. For take heart: God is sending ravens your way, even if you don’t recognize them.

· Sometimes, they take the form of people who offer you a kind word, a listening ear, or a prayerful spirit.

· Sometimes, they encompass the silent spaces of life, when you hear nothing more than the simultaneous stillness and restlessness of your soul.

· Sometimes, the ravens burst into song, heard through unexpected laughter, sighs of relief, or cathartic lamentation.

· Sometimes, the ravens emerge from within you, enabling you to draw from a previously untapped reserve of courage and strength.

· And at times, the ravens connect you to the rich resources of the faith: Scriptures, hymns, litanies, and sacred writings.

Then consider this: God may wish to use you as a raven for someone else. You may be the very conduit of grace and nourishment for someone else in need. You may not believe that you have the resources or the ability to bring such support and encouragement, but you do. And there may be no better prescription for your personal drought than to get out of yourself and serve.

THIS SUNDAY: THE CASE OF THE SERVANT SHOWDOWN

The next story in our sermon series might as well have been written by a Hollywood screenwriter. Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel has all the elements of a summer blockbuster: drama, suspense, a final battle scene, and dazzling pyrotechnics. But more importantly, it showcases the benefits of trusting in God against all the competing forces of chaos and disharmony throughout the world and in your life. It will not be difficult to imagine the connections between this compelling story and all that is happening in you and around you.

So join us this Sunday for a sermon titled, “The Case of the Servant Showdown.” It’s part of our summer blockbuster sermon series, “God’s Double Agents: The Miraculous Missions of Elijah and Elisha.” May these stories bring you sustenance and encouragement, just as the raven did for Elijah.

Blessed Bird Watching,

Magrey

1 Kings 18:20-24

20 So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel.

21 Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ The people did not answer him a word.

22 Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred and fifty.

23 Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it.

24 Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God.’

MAGREY IN FLORIDA

Having attended the gathering in Des Moines of the Iowa Annual Conference, I am heading to Florida to attend the Florida Annual Conference, of which I am still a member. I will be returning Saturday night, and in the event of an emergency, please contact the church office.