I’ll never
forget my first bonk. It was at about
mile 21 of the Chicago Marathon. Bonking
refers to that moment in an endurance event when you’ve depleted all of the
glycogen or energy stores in your liver and your muscles and you no longer have
the fuel necessary to operate efficiently or effectively. It’s as if your whole
system collapses; not just your body, but your brain and your soul. All of the
training and all of the hard work and all of the intentions that brought you to
race day are suddenly for naught. The experience is also referred to as hitting the wall; because that’s what it
feels like.
For the past
several weeks, our On the Road sermon
series at Holy Cross has explored a
variety of biblical encounters that have taken place on the road. What we’ve
discovered is that the power of the journey is not in reaching a particular
destination; it’s in what happens along the way. Encounters on the road have
the power to transform the direction of people’s lives.
We wrapped
up the series this past week with the story of the prophet Elijah as he
high-tailed it to the wilderness outside of Beer-sheba after Queen Jezebel
issued a death threat against him. It’s an odd twist to Elijah’s story because
it falls right on the heels of his defeat of the 450 prophets of Baal. (You can
read about these events in 1 Kings 18). The
journey to Beer-sheba was about 100 miles. Add to that an additional day’s journey
into the wilderness on the outskirts of Beer-sheba, Elijah had put in some
significant mileage. Eventually, he “sat
down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough;
now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’"
(1Kings 19:4) Elijah bonked. He had given his all and now there was nothing
left in the tank.
The cure for
the bonk is fairly simple: eat and drink. Take in an energy drink, a gel pack,
a banana or some simple carbohydrates so that you have energy for the rest of
the race. Notice what the angel says to Elijah: The angel of the LORD came a
second time, touched him, and said, "Get
up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." (1Kings
19:7)
Elijah’s
experience with hitting the wall begs an important question for us to ponder: “What
are my sources of spiritual fuel for the journey?” I’ve seen too many faithful,
dedicated leaders hit the wall with disastrous consequences. In my own life, I
try to pay attention to those signals that indicate that I’ve not been properly
fueling. What does spiritual fuel look like? I’ve started to compile a list and
would love to hear other suggestions:
·
- Daily prayer and meditation - When we pray, we participate in a vitally important vehicle for developing and sustaining a relationship with God. Throughout his own life and ministry, Jesus regularly set apart time for prayer.
- Devotional reading of scripture - The Bible reveals to us the heart and character of God as revealed in Jesus. It continues to be a central means by which God addresses us, challenges us, comforts us, and changes us.
- Worship – It’s in the midst of the gathered community that we, among many things, receive the deep love of God in very tangible ways.
- Sabbath rest – Busyness is not a badge of honor. It’s important to claim the restorative nature of rest.
- Exercise – Some of my best ideas and greatest insights involve a good endorphin rush. I’ve also had many heartfelt conversations with God while pounding out miles on the road.
- Volunteering – It is in giving that we receive.
- Good food in the company of good friends
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