Living the Elijah Project

Since I began to teaching The Elijah Project on a regular basis I have been faced with a consistent a mirror of sorts... an audience.  I have found myself preparing to talk about rest and realizing that I was living the opposite of rest.  I have found myself saying:   “I am not an authority on rest.”  At first it felt un-nerving.  As I have pressed through it I have realized that although the principles of The Elijah Project are sound there is a definite next step needed.

I am calling it:  Living the Elijah Project.  Once a week for the next few months I am going to start writing the companion to The Elijah Project.  It is called Living the Elijah Project because once you understand the key principles and have your AHAH moments, you then need to practice and practice and practice living the journey.

So:  Welcome to a series of blogs called:  Living the Elijah Project!

It is May 2nd in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and its snowing.  I just received a text message from our school district informing me the kids are released early from school.  My morning activities were already canceled due to weather and I found myself with 2 hours of unscheduled time which is very unusual.

As I am sitting still long enough to catch my own breath and reflect I am realizing a few things to kick off the next step of E.P..

1.   I think I want life to just STOP sometimes, so that I can catch up.  But the problem with the momentum switch is that when it stops, I lose focus, collapse, waste time watching t.v. and numb myself.  I wall myself off from looking at my heart.

2.  I think I want to just feel better.  And I do want to feel better, but the bandaid for my booboo’s doesn’t work anymore.  Just adding a layer of plastic to protect my wound from the outside world doesn't soothe my hurt.  I need some antiseptic.. which hurts because it is cleaning out the bacteria.  I need some Neosporin with pain relief to coat and comfort my abrasion.  Finally I need the bandaid to offer a shield from outside influence.  This is what the Elijah Project is truly all about.  Its not just a “feel good” bandaid.  It is a complete first aid kit for the hurting care givers heart.

3.  The Elijah Project First Aid approach is this:

a.  Antiseptic - the rubbing alcohol or cleanser that actually cleans out the wound.  It is the process of looking for the dirt and debris in my heart that needs to be cleaned out.  It is the hard work of opening the wound and looking for infection.  Where am I holding on to hurt?  Where am I responsible for negative thoughts?  What relationships are toxic right now?  What do I need to move away from so that infection does not grow?

b.  Neosporin - God’s word is a powerful cleanser.  It changes my perspective from internal to external.  Jesus’ consistently demonstrated a spirit of humility.  He put others before Himself.  He did not amass possessions or wealth instead He gave everything He had away including Himself.  When I stop long enough to look at the example of my leader... my perspective changes.

c.  Bandaid - that is the beautiful protective yet translucent shield God places over my heart.  I think it is the shield of the spirit which extinguishes the fiery darts of Satan.  The shield is necessary.  God’s shield is unique.  It is not a wall - that keeps good and bad out.  It is like the new clear bandaids.  It protects the skin from a new irritation and allows the light in.  Here is the kicker... we have to put it on.  Just like the bandaid does not magically unwrap itself and stick to your sore, the shield of the spirit does not magically appear.  God invites us to take up His shield.  We are an active part of inviting the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and protect and provide in our lives.  God will let us do it on our own... but His Holy Spirit way is much sweeter.