As a child, I looked forward to our churchs Sunday evening services. They were exciting. Sunday night often meant we got to hear from missionaries and other guest speakers. Their messages inspired me because of their willingness to leave family and friendsand at times, homes, possessions, and careersto go off to strange, unfamiliar, and sometimes dangerous places to serve God.
Like those missionaries, Elisha left many things behind to follow God (1 Kings 19:1921). Before God called him into service through Elijah, we dont know much about Elishaexcept that he was a farmer. When the prophet Elijah met him in the field where he was plowing, he threw his cloak over Elishas shoulders (the symbol of his role as prophet) and called him to follow. With only a request to kiss his mother and father goodbye, Elisha immediately sacrificed his oxen, burned his plowing equipment, said good-bye to his parentsand followed Elijah.
Though not many of us are called to leave family and friends behind to serve God as fulltime missionaries, God wants all of us to follow Him and to live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to [us], just as God has called [us] (1 Corinthians 7:17). As Ive often experienced, serving God can be thrilling and challenging no matter where we areeven if we never leave home.
INSIGHT
Elisha followed Elijah in ministry to his generation, and that pattern was not unique. In the final moments of the exodus, Mosesthe leader and lawgiver of Israelwas succeeded by Joshua, who had been at his side for forty years. Centuries later, Jesus would follow John the Baptist (the second Elijah of Malachi 4:5 and Matthew 11:14) in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. These patterns of forerunners and followers are tied together by one of the most significant indicators in Scripturenames. The names of the three who followed Moses, Elijah, and John in ministryJoshua, Elisha, and Jesusall mean the same thing: the Lord saves. Throughout the years, this has been the confidence of the people of God. God saves us by His grace and then empowers us by His Spirit to follow Him and serve others where He places us.
Where has God called you to serve?