So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
I Kings 17:5-6
A community garden can be a wonderful therapeutic space for members of any community. It is a space where members of a community gather to savor the beauty of God’s beautiful earth. It’s a place of serenity, where one can reflect and connect with one’s inner self. It is a place where neighbors who may not even know one another well, share easy smiles as they observe the birds chirping contentedly around their feeders, and where flowers explode in their myriad shapes, colors and scents. It is a space where one can escape from the stresses that are ever present in daily life.
In a time of drought and famine, when the leaders and people of Israel had rebelled against God, the LORD told Elijah to go to Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. This was his “garden.” Elijah obeyed and went there. While there, the LORD sent ravens to bring him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening. God also refreshed his thirst from the brook. At Kerith Ravine, God provided safety and restoration to Elijah’s soul.
In this modern life, there are times when we all experience some kind of drought, or some kind of famine. You may even be going through such an experience right now as the world churns, and the clouds of uncertainty gather over our lives. In times like these, we all need a “Kerith Ravine”, a place where we can disconnect from the constant “Breaking News” headlines, and from the pressures that demand our attention, time and presence. Even Jesus, made a habit of pulling away from the crowds and finding his “Kerith Ravine” on the mountain tops.
Where is yours? Where do you go to meet with God that he might nourish you and keep you safe from the mental, emotional and physical battles you face every day? If you have not found your “community garden,” your “Kerith Ravine,” now is the time. Now is time to fortify your soul, to find safety and restoration in God’s Presence. Yes, this is the time to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
May God heal you, strengthen and encourage you, as you wait in his garden.