‘Layovers’ is a road sign that we Christians often come across en route to the city of refuge; though it’s not something we dotingly wait upon, we still endure. A layover could mean so much more! Want to find out? Discover more through these articulated segments that sanctify just for you!
The Layover
Layover is now a familiar term for us, thanks to increased international mobility by air. Most international flights have layovers, typically for a few hours, allowing passengers to rest briefly amidst their long journeys.
This idea of a layover is applicable in our journey on earth as Christians, and one biblical character that comes to mind in this context is Elijah. One moment, he is in the palace; the next, he is by the brook of Kerith. One moment he is proclaiming the impending draught on the land and the next, God asks him to hide by the brook of Kerith — a place of layover. Elijah’s layovers at Kerith and Zarephath, recorded in 1 Kings 17, have important lessons for us today.
First, God plans the places of our layovers. Although it’s only logical to stay close to the food reserve in the capital during a drought, God instructs Elijah to go to the brook of Kerith.
Second, God determines the duration of the layovers. When God told Elijah to go and hide by the brook of Kerith, He did not disclose the period of stay. Elijah stayed there until the brook dried.
Third, God provides for us during the layovers. God arranged ravens — unclean creatures that usually feed on leftover meat — to bring Elijah bread and meat twice daily. After the brook had dried, God provided for him in the widow’s house at Zarephath. God provided for Elijah from the most unexpected quarters!
Fourth, layovers are part of God’s missions. God used Elijah to bring the widow’s son back to life during his layover at Zarephath. This incident was a means of proclaiming God’s glory in a gentile nation.
Fifth, God prepares us for a greater purpose through the layovers. At the end of the layovers, God leads Elijah to the palace to convict King Ahab of his sins and to Mount Carmel to restore the glory of God among the people of Israel in front of the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah.
In all, God has a purpose for our lives. In this life journey, he plans some layovers for us to rest and recuperate as he prepares us for a greater mission through which He makes Himself known to His people and the nations.
Renewing Works
A Psalm 23 Parody
Mobile ente edayan aakunnu; appukal download chaiyan enikku muttuntagayilla.
Chargerinteyum, powerbankinteyum purangalil mobile enna kidathunnu; Amazon streminte arikilekku enna nadathunnu.
Ente stressine athe thanupikkunnu; google map nimitham enna sheriyaya pathakalil nadathunnu.
Power cut ulla samayathu nadannalum njan onnineyum bhayapedukayilla; ninte flash light ennodukoode irikkunnuvallo; ninte YouTube, Instagramum enna aashvasipikkunnu.
Ente trollers' kanke nee enikku likekukal tharunnu; ente videokku comment kondu Abhishekem chaiyunnu; ente channel subscribers kondu nirayunnu.
Twitterum, facebookum ente aayushkalmikkeyum njan pinthudarum; njan internetinte lokathu dheergakalam vassikkum.
Weekend Wind-Downs
Geet
Rhett Walker - Believer (Lyrics) - YouTube
Gyan
"Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala chronicles the transformation of a struggling Brooklyn church, highlighting the power of faith and prayer in revitalizing congregations. Through personal anecdotes, it emphasizes the importance of spiritual revival and community engagement. Cymbala's message is one of hope and inspiration, encouraging readers to seek a fresh spiritual awakening in their own lives and churches.
Kalas
From the Pastor’s Corner
Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord!
I appreciate and congratulate members of PYPA at IPC Immanuel church, Banaswadi, for this endeavor. May God enlarge your ministry territory within and beyond the church.
Our God is a God of generations. With the passage of time, newer generations come to fore as older generations fade. As youngsters of the church, it’s time for you to take up the torch of the gospel and go out to the unreached even as you remain an example to fellow believers in Christ.
The Bible says, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” In the book of Zechariah, we see the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit says the Lord of hosts.” When you wait upon the Lord and receive power from above, you too can turn the world upside down like the apostles did in the first century. Let the spirit of God lead you and help you overcome the challenges you face.
I hope and pray that these few words will encourage and ignite you all.
Pr. P. P. Joseph
Graceful Gazes
Thanks for reading! See you again at the next PYPA! :D
We’d like your feedback. Please email any thoughts and suggestions to ipcbanaswadi.pypa@gmail.com
Joel P. Joseph, Writer - The Layover
Anju Churchill, Writer - Psalm 23 Parody
Rahul Kuttan, Recommendation - Geet
Sheba Mathew, Recommendation - Gyan
David Brainerd Rahul, Anju Churchill, Artists - Kala
Pr. P. P. Joseph, Writer - From the Pastor’s Corner
Had a good layover reading! 😁 God bless the initiative