What Are You Doing Here?

Even the most powerful prophets need help sometimes. Elijah was exhausted, depressed, and needed the help of an angel to recover.

The angel provided food that sustained the prophet’s journey to Horeb, the mountain of God. While he was resting in a cave, God challenged him with a question:

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).

God commanded Elijah to leave the cave and stand before Him for a powerful encounter.

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake,

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Many preachers, myself included, have focused on how God spoke in the whisper of “sheer silence,” not the wind or fire. Those are worthwhile presentations, but the central message was a twice-repeated question.

Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13).

Elijah answered the question with both actions and words. For years, he had been the Lord’s servant, and was willing to spend the remainder of his life in God’s service.

Possible Answers

If God were to call your name today and say, “What are you doing here?” How would you respond?

I posed the question to artificial intelligence to see how it answers for an average American.

(1) Honestly? I’m just trying to keep my head above water. Between the mortgage, the kids’ soccer practice, trying to eat somewhat healthy, and answering emails at 9 PM, I barely had time to realize I was here. I guess I was busy trying to build a life, but maybe I forgot to actually live it.

(2) Wait, am I at the Pearly Gates or just really lost? If this is the end, I’d like to file a complaint about the traffic on I-70. But seriously… I’m just a guy who tried to be decent, loved his dog, and maybe watched a little too much football. I hope that’s enough to get a pass.

(3) I’m stumbling through it, God. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and took a lot of wrong turns. I spent a lot of time worrying about things that didn’t matter and not enough time loving the people who did. I’m just here hoping for a little grace, because I definitely didn’t get everything right.

(4) I’m doing my best with the hand I was dealt. I worked hard, paid my taxes, and tried not to hurt anyone. I don’t have a grand philosophical answer for you. I was just trying to be a good neighbor and a good friend. Is that what you were looking for?

Jesus Responds

If we were to ask Jesus, “What Are You Doing Here?” how would He respond? Here are some of His answers.

We can be thankful that Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus found us and saved us because He was willing to do the Father’s will. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” (John 4:34).

What are you doing here, we may ask. Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).

What About Us

Today, God is asking us the same question He posed to Elijah: “What are you doing here?”

We are not Jesus and can only thank Him for the way He answered the question with His life, death, and resurrection.

I hope we are not as shallow as the AI answers for average Americans.

Is it possible that we will answer like Elijah and tell God that we are willing to serve Him with all our heart?

YouTube Discussion

Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.