Spiritual Highs and Lows #1
Recently I returned from a 2-week ministry trip to Zambia. Our 8-person team conducted teacher observations, seminars, tutoring, and after school programming. It was a tremendous ministry experience. It was a without a doubt spiritual high.
Theres just one problem with a spiritual high. After experiencing it, there seems to be an inevitable spiritual low. Mountaintop experiences often lead to ministry valleys.
Consider Elijah. God worked through him to ignite a bonfire soaked in water and the prophets of Baal were destroyed. Then God answered Elijahs prayers and brought rain to a drought stricken land. Id call that a spiritual high.
In the very next chapter Elijah learns that Jezebel has vowed to kill him. Elijah flees to the desert where he implores God to kill him. He is deeply wallowing in spiritual depression incorrectly believing that he is the only faithful prophet left in Israel. God mercifully ministers to Elijah, restoring him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But Elijahs restoration came at a huge cost. God chose to have Elijah transfer his ministry to Elisha, and took Elijah home in a whirlwind.
Beware spiritual highs! Theyre wonderful, but dangerous. You must take precautions to avoid the spiritual low thats on the horizon. Unfortunately, I didnt take my own advice. The great blessing I received in Zambia has led to a significant bust in my life right now. Ive been there before, and God will see me through it. My advice: avoid the quagmire at all costs.
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
