What Do You Bleed For?

"And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them." (1 Kings 18:28)

You're trying to figure out where I'm going with this verse, aren't you? Bear with me. (I say that a lot in these devotionals, don't I?)

A little context. The prophet Elijah challenges the people of Israel (under Ahab's ungodly rule) to pick who they intend to follow. He tells them if the Lord is God, to follow Him, but if Baal is, to follow him. He goes on to call the prophets of Baal to meet him. Y'all know this story, right? It's one of my favorites.

The prophets of Baal build their altar, ready their sacrifice, and pray. And pray. And pray some more. From morning until noon, they cry out to Baal, and there is no answer. To add insult to injury, Elijah's standing on the sidelines mocking them. Mocking their so-called god. "Maybe he's sleeping. Maybe he's in the bathroom." You have to admire that kind of smack talk.

The idolatrous prophets double their efforts. They cry and cut themselves "... until the blood gushed out ..." And that brings me to the title of this blog.

What do you bleed for?

So many things demand our attention. Jobs, school, hobbies, family, friends, entertainment, health issues. None of these things are bad, in and of themselves. But when they become a higher priority than serving God, do they not become idols? What are you crying out for? What are you willing to bleed for?

What do you bleed for?

Oh, and in case you're not familiar with this story and its ending, Elijah finally has enough. He digs a trench around his own altar and readies the bull for sacrifice. Three times he calls for four jars of water to be poured on the altar, the bull, and the wood. So much water the trench is filled. Then he calls on the Lord. The true and living God. And that God--THE God--sends down fire from heaven that burns the bull, the wood, the altar, and even the water in the trench.

What do you bleed for?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

• What are the things in your life that sometimes distract you from truly worshiping God? Name them specifically and pray for those areas to remain where they should in importance.
• Join me in praying for focus so we never lose sight of the God we serve.