Elijah and His Gusto

I was just reading 1 Kings 18 again - not completely because I have thoughts shooting through my mind before I got very far.

I observed that Elijah was a very straight forward person. He spoke to King Ahab plainly and boldly, told him what he did wrong before God's sight. He rebuked the king and did not blink while doing it. How confident and assured he was.

And it made me think. How did he get there?

And then later on Elijah boldly challenged the prophets to an offering challenge. 1 vs 450. Of course he won, but he had no doubts in his mind, and gave clear instructions. Suffice to say, God must have told him in detail what to do - really? I didn't read it before that. Perhaps I should assume so. Or maybe through experience and as he allowed God to use him God just gave him the words. It is just interesting to find out what people are thinking about you know? I talk to myself and have my own conversations all the time so I'm sure Elijah did that too. :P

And his confidence and boldness to proclaim God and the way he spoke to God, as if he knew for sure that was what God wanted - puzzles me in a good way. It means Elijah was very close to God, and he knew his place and his calling and his job. 

I like that. And I wonder how many of us would dare speak to God like Elijah did. It almost sounded like he was telling God what to do. So it comes across as not so respectful. Kinda throws off that awe we are suppose to have of God, yet I wonder if we have the right definition of many words. We just assume, most often. And Elijah did have honour and respect and the fear of the Lord. 

I think Elijah is a man to learn from.

Just some thoughts from Abu Dhabi International Airport while waiting to board my flight to Toronto.

gracey