The vocational call upon Elisha’s life appears to be a dramatically undeniable invitation and assignment from God. How many of us wish that our own call would be so crystal clear? Or feel internal or external pressure to find our sense of meaning and purpose in our vocation?
What if we approached this text and our lives with a posture of compassion and trust that the essence of who we are supercedes what we do? Let us pause and consider our vocation as first a way of being in this world. How do we want to be? Where is God inviting us to be?
1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 NLT
Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.
19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”
Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”
21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
For Prayer and Reflection:
What word or phrase shimmered as you listened to or read the text? Bring it into prayer with the Lord.
Reflect on your experience of being called into service. Is there something you want to talk over with God about it? Journal your conversation.
Rest in an consoling words or images which the Lord gave you.
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