What were you doing when the call of God came to you? Were you flipping burgers at Burger King? Were you checking out customers at the Super Market? Were you cashing checks at the bank? Were you cutting hair in the salon? Were you waiting on patients in the hospital? Were you driving a cab?Elisha, a farmer, was working in his families’ business. He was doing his job, getting ready for vacation, about to call it a day…when his life got turned upside down by a mantle and a zealous minister.
1 Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
Elisha knew in his heart that a decision had to be made. Either he will continue to farm with his oxen and plowshare or he will answer the call of God and change everything familiar with his life thus far. This decision would require him to accommodate the call of God by changing his schedule and plans.
Elisha stepped out into the unknown. He burnt up his plowshare and killed the oxen. Everyone partook at this big BBQ Bash! He then says his farewells and off he goes to serve the man of God, Elijah, for the next ten years.
Known as the water boy, Elisha builds a reputation of faithful service. God prepares him for the office of a prophet and then promotes him. We can learn five specific things about Elisha’s willingness to accommodate the call of God.
Elisha knew in his heart that a decision had to be made. Either he will continue to farm with his oxen and plowshare or he will answer the call of God and change everything familiar with his life thus far. This decision would require him to accommodate the call of God by changing his schedule and plans.
Elisha stepped out into the unknown. He burnt up his plowshare and killed the oxen. Everyone partook at this big BBQ Bash! He then says his farewells and off he goes to serve the man of God, Elijah, for the next ten years.
Known as the water boy, Elisha builds a reputation of faithful service. God prepares him for the office of a prophet and then promotes him. We can learn five specific things about Elisha’s willingness to accommodate the call of God.
- Instantaneous – Elisha doesn’t put forth a fleece and pray for 40 days to see if this mantle/ministry call is really of God. He decides THEN and THERE to accept the call.
- Orderliness – Elisha gets his affairs in order; first with God, family, work, ministry and so forth.
- Awareness - Elisha did more than feel a mantle upon his shoulders, he also heard from God himself. There was a knowing in his spirit that compelled him to respond to this call.
- Readiness – He jumped in immediately doing the first thing that needed done. Serving his leader became his heartfelt passion.
- Submissiveness – There was no task beneath him. He willingly submitted to another person’s authority and found freedom in service.
Are you willing to accommodate your life for the call of God? Who will be the next Elisha to answer the call of service, unconcerned about position or promotion?