Lesson from Mount Carmel
- hilannycastrejon
- Jan 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 2, 2024
If you are unfamiliar with the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, I encourage you to start by reading 1 Kings 18 (specifically verses 16-40)
For a quick refresher on the story / a further explanation on the scripture watch:
(The following text is an excerpt from my journal dated March 2023, capturing moments from my journey to Israel)
"Mount Carmel:
God showed me that He is jealous for our hearts (Exodus 20:5-6). Although the word 'jealous' still sits uneasily with me, I was reminded that God does not want things to be left halfway. When it comes to choosing a relationship with Him, we’re either all in or not in at all. There is no in-between or gray area when it comes to choosing Him.
In the Bible, Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal to see who the real God was. Most of us know how that story ends (For those unfamiliar, I encourage you to read 1 Kings 18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+18&version=ESV). Walking to the top of that mountain was an emotional experience for me. I grew up singing songs at church about Elijah on Mount Carmel, and while the story was not new to me, I had never understood it as anything more than 'just a song.'
Before we reached the top of the mountain, my Bible teacher gave us a new perspective on this story: 'What is it that you are idolizing?' he asked. Our idols can be anything, big or small, and the small ones are often the hardest to recognize.
What takes up your time?
What consumes your thoughts?
What are you losing sleep over?
What are you ignoring God over?
Your idols are anything that you choose over God.
This created a time for self-reflection for me. I realized that I idolize my desire for a specific lifestyle. At times, I found myself thinking, 'I don’t know how I’m going to get there, but I’ll do anything to make sure I get it.' Having drive and ambition is NOT a bad thing, but having an unhealthy amount can be the thing that drives you to destruction.
I believed that if I obtained a specific lifestyle, my life would be fulfilled, I would be content, complete, and secure. I also realized I idolize my relationship. It wasn’t so much that I idolized that person, but more the state of our relationship. I know that my worth, joy, and well-being do not come as a result of how well my relationships are, but as a teenager, relationships can be difficult to navigate and prioritize.
I also idolize my self-image and how others view me. I want to be seen as someone who has been redeemed and restored by the Holy Spirit to the point that I found myself doing things for my self-image rather than for the glory and exaltation of Jesus.
What I learned is that I have to ask God to come and completely consume the false idols I subconsciously worship. I have to lay down MY definition of joy, success, contentment, and fulfillment. I have to trust that He is true to His promises and that His heart is FOR me, not against me."
Writing this months later, I recognize that asking God to consume everything that we worship that is not Him is an uncomfortable prayer. When we ask Him to uproot anything that we find superficial comfort and contentment in, we can’t be surprised when He does what we ask and we are left uncomfortable and vulnerable.
But imagine what that sounds like to God? We often pray easy and superficial prayers, but what about when we say, 'Here’s a list of everything I desire, but I desire you more. I really want ___, but I want to obey you more. I love ____, but I love you more. I really want ____ to happen, but I want your will in my life to happen more.'
These prayers are scary, but the ultimate sacrifice we could bring God is an honest, willing, and authentic heart. We can’t ask God to have His will in our lives, but only if His will lines up with my plans. When we say yes to God, we are saying yes to being picked up, turned around, and placed on higher grounds.
If we want to be in a relationship with God, we need to be fully in. We can’t have one foot out the door; we need to let our guard down and be willing to be transformed and molded every single day.
Prayer: Lord, help me recognize that you are for me, That you know the desires of my heart, my hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Help me remember that you are true to your word, that the promises you have spoken over me will come, and that your plans are ALWAYS to give me hope and a future. Help me seek you wholeheartedly, give me the courage and strength to lay down everything that gets in between us, and help me fall in love with you more every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(here's a video of the view from the top of Mount Carmel, March 2023)
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