Learning From Their Life: Elisha
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
As part of our Impact Devotionals here on the MAD Christian Radio Show we are doing a new series where we shine the spotlight on someone in the Bible and try to learn from their life. Last week we looked at the prophet Elijah who faced the very difficult task of warning the nation, and their leader King Ahab, about their evil ways and the coming judgement for their sin. This week we are going to take a look at the life of his successor Elisha and what we can learn from Elisha's life.
Elisha Radically Obeyed God
One of the biggest lessons we can learn from Elisha is what it looks like to radically obey the call of God on our lives. We don't know a lot about Elisha's upbringing or early days. When we are introduced to him in the book of 1 Kings it's the moment when Elijah approached Elisha to recruit him as his successor. Now one thing we should keep in mind is that living in the land of Judah during Elijah's time as a prophet, Elisha would have likely heard a lot about Elijah. He was likely aware that Elijah's life had not been an easy one and he had spent most of his days on the run, as King Ahab and his household did not want to hear the message of judgment Elijah was tasked to deliver. In fact, when Elijah went to recruit Elisha he was currently on the run from King Ahab's wife Jezebel who had promised to kill Elijah. Yet we are told in 1 Kings 19 that when Elijah approached Elisha as Elisha was plowing a field and threw his cloak across his shoulders to indicate Elisha would be his successor, Elisha didn't protest. He didn't he-haw or give God a list of conditions he wanted met before he agreed to the task. No, Elisha was given an assignment and he didn't hesitate to go where God was calling him and do exactly what God was calling him to do. In fact, we are told that Elisha said goodbye to his parents and then slaughtered his oxen so that there would be no going back to his profession and former life. That's radical commitment and it's the same kind of radical commitment that is required of you and I.
So let's make this personal. Is there a task you know God is calling you to do? We all know we are called to do something to build the Kingdom of God and if you don't have a task yet, perhaps you've gotten too comfortable saying no to the opportunities placed in front of you. This isn't a popular thing to say, but following Jesus doesn't just mean following Him into a church building on a Sunday morning. Following Jesus means following Him 24/7/365 and saying yes to each and every opportunity He calls us to. Whether that entails,
-starting a ministry
-sharing your faith
-moving out to the mission field
-helping your neighbour who needs a hand
-sharing the Gospel with those in your life who don't know Jesus
-bringing hope to the hopeless
-loving on the loveless
-caring for the abandoned
-or providing generously for the poor
We Aren't Meant To Be Idle
In the book of Ephesians we learn that salvation is a gift we receive and as God creates us anew, He doesn't leave it at that. He specifically equips us for the good things He has for us to do that He has planned for us. There is no such thing in Christianity as sitting on the sidelines or being idle.
"God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:8-10
Elisha understood what it meant to lay down his life to fulfill the calling God had for him and we would do well to follow his example. Elisha left behind his profession and his family to go where God called him to. You and I need to have that same kind of commitment to living out God's calling in our lives, even when it comes unexpectedly or interrupts our plans. Whether that's visiting a widow when you'd rather spend the night in front of the TV, providing for the poor when you'd rather use that money to buy the new xbox, going onto the mission field when you're already so comfortable with your life at home or crossing the street to share the Gospel with a neighbour when it would be a lot easier to not say a word. Elisha's life shows us that God can do incredible things in and through us when we are willing to live out His calling on our lives.
Ask God What It Is He's Calling You To
So are you willing? If the answer to that question is yes, and I hope it is, here's my challenge to you: this week spend some time in prayer asking God what it is He is calling you to. The Bible makes it clear we each have a role to play in the body of Christ and if you don't know what it is, you need to find out so you can be living out your calling in the Kingdom to its fullest. Closing off with a few more verses first from the book of Ephesians, starting in chapter 4:
"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." Ephesians 4:1
and now 2 Timothy 1, verses 8-9
"So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time - to show us His grace through Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:8-9
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