Going out like Elijah

The following is from my contribution to Ballygrainey's monthly newsletter. I hope you like it:

Rich Mullins is one of my favourite Christian song writers. Since university I have been listening to his music and the wisdom that comes through his songs. One of his most evocative and meaningful songs for me is a song called Elijah. It takes its inspiration from that final journey that Elijah takes with his student, Elisha, in 2 Kings chapter 2.

In the story Elisha refuses to turn back, despite Elijah’s repeated requests. He also refuses to listen to the words of the various prophets they meet on the journey stating that Elijah will be taken from him that day. He knows this will be the case but he doesn’t want to think about it. Isn’t this attitude one that we share when we know we are going to lose a loved one? As the end approaches we don’t want to think about life without them and we don’t want to leave their side.

But in his song, Rich Mullins concentrates on Elijah’s attitude to leaving Elisha and everything else behind. Elijah knows that the end of his earthly life is coming. That expectation is reflected in the very first lines of Mullins’ song; ‘The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through.’ But Elijah does not fear the future. He has learned through the highs and lows of life that he can trust God for every step he takes and he has only one thought in his mind – allowing God to lead him into whatever happens next.

The main theme of the song is that Mullins wants to be like Elijah when he faces the end of his own life – looking forward with expectancy not back with regret. This is how he puts it;

‘When I go I want to go out like Elijah

With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire

And when I look back on the stars

It’ll be like candlelight on Central Park

And it won’t break my heart to say good-bye.’

The New Testament fills out the hope that we have beyond this life. We have the promise of a new, resurrection body. We have the hope of being reunited with others who have gone before us. We have the certainty that all sin and sorrow will be banished as God himself wipes away every tear from every eye. We have the expectation of a true homecoming when God welcomes us into full and free fellowship with him.

Perhaps, 900 years before Jesus’ resurrection, Elijah already had an inkling of what to expect. There is a real sense in 2 Kings that he is eager to get to the next stage. Does that reflect our feelings? Are we eagerly anticipating what God will do for us in heaven? Or are we so attached to the things that we have here that we still, even after the resurrection, allow the fear of death to paralyse us?

On 19 September 1997 Rich Mullins was killed in a car crash. Like Elijah, he left this world suddenly. Like Elijah, he was ready to go. While many people understandably mourned the loss to this world of such a great song writing talent. Mullins rejoiced as he came home.

May the same be true of us when our time comes.