ARISE AND EAT

Some modern military aircraft have the potential to refuel mid-air. However, for many others, the amount of fuel taken considers the entire flight time. Therefore, whatever fuel is on board has to be sufficient. The last thing any one would expect mid air is to run out of fuel – the consequences are obvious.

Turning our minds to Elijah therefore, even though he ate real food and drank, ‘eating’ had a wider connotation to suggest ‘accrue or gather resources’. The reason the angel gave at the second instructive moment was ‘or else the journey will be too great for you’ (1 Kings 19:7). In other words, else you might not arrive at the end if you don’t top up your reserves.

In that moment, Elijah could have said ‘but I just ate’. However, a lesson from the ten virgins comes to mind, ‘to carry oil even though your lamp may not need it now’. Many can start races/life very zealously, but unfortunately approach it from an incomplete perspective because while life is littered with many fast sprints, it’s entirety is a marathon.

It takes more than short bursts of energy to run that race, instead endurance, reserves of resources, and knowledge for the entire journey is required. So arise and eat indeed: learn, read, save, – else you may not have enough to complete the course.

#sly