Barometers

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” 1 Kings 21:20

I have certain people barometers* to measure where I’m at in different aspects of my life. For instance, when I’m leaning towards a certain divisive political view, I’ll look around at who else espouses that view. If I find I’m on the side of those people whom I consider to be reasonable, I’m somewhat comforted. If I look around and see that I’ve sided with a bunch of whackos, I must pause and reassess my position.

Another barometer comes from Bible commentaries. When I read a passage and interpret it in some way that may be controversial, I go to those commentaries I’ve come to trust. If my interpretation aligns with their interpretation, I feel I’m on the right track. If no commentary out there supports my interpretation, I must go back and rethink my position.

When it comes to my faith and recovery, I can tell how I’m doing by how much I want to be around others who’re working on their faith and recovery. When I was struggling with active drug use, I didn’t want to be around those people. When I’m doing well, seeking recovery, I surround myself with those who’re also seeking it. So, if I look over my past week and find that I’ve avoided others who’re pursuing faith and recovery, I have cause to be concerned.

Today’s passage tells of King Ahab’s personal barometer. In the story, he and his wife, Jezebel, had just conspired to have an innocent man put to death, just so Ahab could take possession of his vineyard. Not long after Ahab took the vineyard, God sent the prophet Elijah to condemn his actions. When Ahab saw Elijah, he was angered. Have you found me, O my enemy? As a prophet of God, the king of Israel should have been on Elijah’s side. The fact that he saw Elijah as his enemy served as a glaring indicator of Ahab’s wickedness.

So, who are our barometers? Do we dodge the pastor on Sunday because of our behavior on Saturday? Do we avoid the gym people because we’ve not been exercising or eating well? Are we hanging out with those friends whose lives are going in a different direction than we want ours to go? Sometimes, to keep our lives on the right track, we must look around at those we’ve gravitated towards or those whom we’ve avoided. Then, we must purposefully choose to surround ourselves with those whose lives are going in the direction we want ours to go.

*For you scientists out there, please forgive my inaccurate use of barometer. It’s just what I call it in my own head.