He hadn’t been looking for any options, or ways out his life. He was good at plowing fields and working hard. He always had a sense of satisfaction from his labor. Hard work has its rewards. But God had something greater in store for Elisha.
Everyone knew who Elijah was, and what his special coat represented. So what a shock it was to see the famous prophet walking towards Elisha in the middle of the field where he was plowing. What was even more shocking was what happened next: Elijah draped his special coat over Elisha’s shoulders!
Elisha knew that this was something very special. He knew it was a God-given opportunity. His mind raced. All the years of farming, taking care of his family, enjoying God’s blessing in many areas, suddenly paled in comparison with what lay ahead.
The old prophet wasn’t waiting around for any conversations. Elisha chased after him, but something caught his eye. It was his oxen. He couldn’t just leave them there. And beyond the oxen, he could see his dad and mom, and little brother by their house. He couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye. Elijah agreed,
“Go ahead, do what you gotta do. We’re not coming back here.”
So Elisha made his way back. He disconnected the oxen from the plow and led them toward the house. A flood of memories went through his mind. But, Elijah’s words also went through his mind, “We’re not coming back here.” So final and harsh. He would miss this place.
Reaching the house, trying to tell his family what had happened, his heart broke. But he knew it was the right thing. A God thing. Then, as if controlled by an unseen force, Elisha broke apart the plow and started a fire with it, and then slaughtered his oxen. He cooked the meat from the oxen and had one last meal with his family before running to catch up with the prophet.
Here’s a great lesson for all of God’s children. For those of you going through the routines, being faithful in the small things, even satisfied with the blessings in your life up to this point. God is coming to where you’re at to tell you there is something more, something greater.
You know it’s true.
You have felt deep down inside that God has destined you for something great. You have had inklings and thoughts and dreams. You’ve made some headway, and even had some sense of success, yet no big breakthroughs, so you’ve plodded on.
Now you are faced with either stepping forward into what God has, or remaining in the safe, well-worn, trusted place you’ve been in.
It’s either or. Drastic. Final. No plan B.
There will always be that temptation to long for the good ol’ days. To go back to the comfort zones of the past. You may even get good at rehearsing, “If all else fails, I could always go back to…” But Jesus warns against this kind of thinking,
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
Staying where you are may not ruin your life, but worse, it will waste it. To experience the amazingly great things that God has for your life, you must walk away from all dependencies, prior understandings, and all other things in your past, and head into the amazingly great things that God has for your life.
Paul put it this way,
“…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)
Add a Comment