Elijah’s Inn

[No, this is not our home; photo attribution: Office.com; licence free]

First, there was a strenuous and prolonged tug of war between the prophet and the royal couple, which he mostly spent on the run and in hiding. Then there was an intense showdown with 450 Baal priests. Singlehandedly, he pulled of a remarkable vindication of Yahweh that would resound throughout the ages.

But with it, Elijah had reached his limit. He had used up his reserves, sank into depression, and fled into the desert. Exhausted, he lay down and desired to die. Next thing, an angel touched him and said: “Arise and eat.” There was some bread and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. A second time the angel touched him and said: “Eat and drink, for the journey is too great for you.”

At this point and unwittingly, the prophet had come to Elijah’s Inn. Sooner or later, most leaders pass through. They are in need of nourishment. They need refreshment. They need encouragement and new strength. And they need a fresh encounter with God and a re-commissioning – as did Elijah.

This story illustrates part of what we aim for in being a retreat centre for leaders in YWAM. Okay, it probably won’t be quite this spectacular. And although food is important to us, we are more likely to use tools like coaching, debriefing, personal retreats, conversation, and – a personal favourite – quiet reflection.

Elijah ate and drank at the “inn”, and went in the strength of that food for 40 days and 40 nights until he arrived at Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. God was waiting for him and met him there, not unlike he had met Moses at an earlier date.

Well, that is the part we cannot copy. We don’t have control over it. Every leader needs to climb the mountain and face God on their own. But we’d like to be that place on the way, the lodge at the foot of the mountain.

Feel like Elijah and looking for a personal retreat or time-out? Check us out!