“All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.”
1 Kings 19:5b-8
In a recent session for Chaplains at Glasgow City Mission led by Phil Patterson (Veterans’ Chaplaincy, Scotland – himself a veteran and Military Chaplain), we were guided through Elijah’s experience on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) and his subsequent flight into the desert beyond Beersheba (1 Kings 19). At what might have been expected to be a moment of triumph for him, Elijah flees and plunges into desolation. Phil convincingly related his actions to the PTSD and Moral Injury that many veterans experience. He also guided us through the steps from desolation to consolation and then on to restoration. It would take too long to detail every insight here. However, I found myself drawn particularly to the notes of gentleness in the account of Elijah’s healing and restoration. Firstly, there are the gentle touches of an angel. Anywhere else in Scripture that angels appear it is usually deeply disturbing. It seems they must always begin their interactions with humans with the words, ‘Do not be afraid!’ They are often depicted as awesome and mighty. Yet Elijah experiences such gentle touches from an angel. Secondly, when the physically refreshed Elijah meets God, it is not through earthquake and fire but in a whisper.
Chaplains routinely meet so many people who are deeply traumatised and who are in a place of despair and desolation. Gentle acts and time to rest begin a journey to consolation. Soft companionship in that long journey through dry places leads to moments of quiet encounter with God and the hope of restoration.
We all have days of desolation. May we each act gently, speak softly, travel unhurriedly, listen carefully. May we each find consolation and reach a place of restoration.