Going the Distance

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What must Elisha have thought? It's not mentioned in Scripture whether he was searching for his purpose in life. In fact, we are told in 1 Kings 19 that he was out in the field with his oxen. He was about the of the family business. There's no mention of unrest or an inkling of a call on his life other than to follow in his father's footsteps and the family business.  But we can see that once Elijah set his mantle on Elisha, his first response was to go say goodbye to his parents, then sacrifice the oxen and feed the people with him. Once the feast was done, he got up and followed Elijah. No questions. No hesitation.

Towards the end of Elijah's time on earth, he tried to convince Elisha to stay back three times. But Elisha refused. For what reason? Scripture doesn't tell us. A guess would be that he sensed it was getting close to the end of Elijah's life. Not to mention the prophets they met along the way from Gilgal to the Jordan, who told Elisha that Elijah's time was coming to an end. Maybe he simply didn't want to miss out on one second of this man's ministry. He was a mentor. And Elisha had been anointed to be his successor from the beginning of their time together. (1 Kings 19:21 - 2 Kings 2:15)

It's not easy these days, is it?

I could cite instances when involved with one thing, I noticed another, and wanted to be involved. As a youth, the temptation to jump from one thing to another was palpable. One of my mentors encouraged me to stop and seek the Lord for direction. "The grass may look greener, but it's not always the case," they advised.

The wisdom of this woman still holds true years later. It's part of the fallen world we live in that misunderstandings arise, relationships go through dry and mundane periods, and some activity or group looks more enticing and satisfying somewhere else. The temptation to follow the path to the exciting new thing can be nearly undeniable.

But we must take a breath. Take this before our Lord and ask.

There have also been times, after succumbing to the temptation, regret followed later when I realized that the grass was indeed astro turf and the place I'd left behind was flourishing, and I'd missed out on something the Lord was doing. 

To have the Lord's guidance in our decisions is safest. The circumstances might appear bleak and hopeless. But we can't see the bigger picture like He can. 

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. ~ Isaiah 55:8 ESV ~

By Elisha's example, we can learn to hold fast to the end, whether in death or the Lord separating for His purpose. But Elisha refused to be left behind or miss out on anything Elijah did. Once they crossed the Jordan, Elijah turned to Elisha and asked, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"

Elisha's response, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."

Had he allowed Elijah's pushing him away to stop him, he wouldn't have been able to request this. Elijah told him it was a hard thing he asked for. BUT with God, all things are possible.  And Elisha saw the whirlwind and the chariot come out of heaven to carry Elijah away, then his mantle fell to the ground, Elisha picked it up, struck the Jordan as Elijah had, and crossed on dry ground.

The road may not be easy, but if we stay the course, hold the line with those God has brought into our lives, for better and for worse, we will reap a harvest. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9 ~

The following video is a clip from a film showing a trainer's goal to lead her cross-country runners to victory. The path was not what they expected. But it was effective. It's a great example of how following the path God leads us on doesn't always make sense, but always brings us across the finish line.

Until next time. Make heaven crowded. 💝 Karlene J 💝