God Calls Hardworking People; Not Lazy People
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye," he said, "and then I will come with you."
. . . So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned his plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and he became his servant. I Kings 19:19-21
. . . So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned his plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and he became his servant. I Kings 19:19-21
The scene was definitely dramatic. Elijah was tired of continuing with his responsibilities as God's prophet to a defiant nation so God asked him to anoint Elisha as his successor. Elijah found Elisha plowing in the field and he threw his cloak upon him, signifying that the mantle of succession had been placed upon Elisha's shoulders. Elisha immediately recognized the call from God, severed ties with his old way of life and became Elijah's servant.
There are many striking things about the call of Elisha but one arresting thing is that Elisha was very busy working when God placed the call of service upon him. Elisha seemed to be running a busy farming enterprise. He was busy overseeing twelve men who were plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and he himself was plowing with the twelfth pair!
Elisha was busily engaged with his workers on the farm. Elijah did not find him sitting under a tree sipping some soda whilst his workers were busy plowing. No! Elisha was as busy as the regular workers. This is a principle worth noting: God calls busy and engaged people. God calls hardworking people; not lazy people.
We see this all through Scripture:
David was a busy shepherd when called to be king.
Moses was a busy shepherd when he encountered God in the burning bush
The disciples were busy fishermen and tax collectors when called by Jesus.
Paul was a busy prosecutor who was energetically tracking down Christians when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Jesus Himself worked so hard that He once fell asleep in a boat totally exhausted from His labors.
Do you have a burning desire to be used by God in any capacity? Then ask yourself if you are willing to work hard to accomplish God's Kingdom agenda. God uses hard working people; not lazy ones!
There are many striking things about the call of Elisha but one arresting thing is that Elisha was very busy working when God placed the call of service upon him. Elisha seemed to be running a busy farming enterprise. He was busy overseeing twelve men who were plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and he himself was plowing with the twelfth pair!
Elisha was busily engaged with his workers on the farm. Elijah did not find him sitting under a tree sipping some soda whilst his workers were busy plowing. No! Elisha was as busy as the regular workers. This is a principle worth noting: God calls busy and engaged people. God calls hardworking people; not lazy people.
We see this all through Scripture:
David was a busy shepherd when called to be king.
Moses was a busy shepherd when he encountered God in the burning bush
The disciples were busy fishermen and tax collectors when called by Jesus.
Paul was a busy prosecutor who was energetically tracking down Christians when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Jesus Himself worked so hard that He once fell asleep in a boat totally exhausted from His labors.
Do you have a burning desire to be used by God in any capacity? Then ask yourself if you are willing to work hard to accomplish God's Kingdom agenda. God uses hard working people; not lazy ones!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am available for your use. Please help me to give you my all as you use me. Amen.