so tired

Sunday August 12^th, 1 Kings 19: 3-5 When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: "Enough of this, God! Take my life—I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!" Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.  There are times when I am just worn out.  I remember being hassled by a Canadian border guard late one evening as I was leaving Alaska to drive to Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.  After about a half hour of inane questions he asked what work I had done in Alaska.  I told him I primarily worked in Juvenile corrections.  He then asked why I was going to Dubuque, I told him I was going to Wartburg Seminary.  He asked what a seminary was, I told him it was an educational and training center to become a Lutheran Pastor.  He smirked that going from Juvenile corrections to being a pastor was quite a switch.  I couldn’t help myself, I just blurted out laughing that he hadn’t been in many Lutheran congregations or he would know it was not much of a switch at all.  Little did I know how fortuities that smart-aleck comment would become.  Following the will of God is not all smiles and happiness, and sometimes even the best and strongest just get worn out, or more probably, worn down.  It is worth noting however, that like Elijah, even when we think we have hit our limit and run, God does not leave us alone in our pity.  God seeks us out, renews our strength and sends us on our way, whether we like it or not.