Mark Sorensen I’m not sure it gets better than one of my favorite scenes in the movie, Jurassic Park. A T-Rex has broken free (I mean, really. Can T-Rex live on goat alone?) and has taken to chasing down some of the key characters in the story who find themselves speeding away in the nifty Jurassic Park open-aired, all terrain vehicle. As the dinosaur closes in on the jeep, the viewer gets this brilliant shot of the T-Rex as seen in the side view mirror. In the reflection? The words, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”.
Though I can confidently confess to you that I have never been chased by a dinosaur (do ask me about that time, however, when I was chased by a fox who emerged from the woods while I was on a run about six years ago), I can confess that there are those moments in my life where other things have been breathing down the back of my neck. It’s those ugly little monsters like inadequacies, fear, imperfections, and deadlines, to name a few. Ever been there? We have good company: meet Elijah.
And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:9-10)
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah, a prophet of God, was facing a threat from queen Jezebel who wanted him dead. God’s prophets were facing persecution and, for Elijah, this threat was a very real T-Rex chasing him down leading him to a place where he was ready to throw in the towel. It was in that moment, however, when God met him and asked him a very relevant question: “Elijah, what are you doing here?” In other words, “How did you get here? Why are you running? What’s going on?” Elijah’s response? “Um, excuse me. Are you serious right now? This is tough! Jezebel wants to kill me, Your prophets are actually dying for this calling and I’m going solo here. I’m not going to make it!” See, what I love about Elijah’s response to God is his boldness. What a beautiful reminder that God is big enough to take our honesty.
Elijah was having a very real Jurassic Park T-rex moment. His eyes were focused on the rear view and he was terrified by what was chasing him and the closeness of it all. Here’s the thing. Though the fear seemed close, God was there to remind him that the fear was not what he was to be focused on. Instead, he needed his eyes to be on the very One who called and was guiding and protecting him. This is what God does for His children.
I tend to look at the read view a lot. Thankfully, God gives me that nudge and reminds me that He’s the one worthy of my attention.
What’s chasing you right now? What’s breathing down your neck? Eyes ahead, my friend. God’s got it. He’ll carry you through.
Rest in this:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)
