Carry On

2 Kings 2:8-15

During my time on earth, I’ve had the immense joy of “doing life” with some amazing women.  The world can be a crazy place, so to have people you trust who you can turn to when you’re not sure what to do, is beyond comforting.  Women who’ve been there, done that and who’ve lived a life of honest faith can have a resounding impact on your life.  I truly believe there is nothing better than having a mentor - or two or three.

In today’s story, Elijah served as a mentor to Elisha.  They cared for each other and before they were separated, Elisha said he wanted to be like Elijah and do the things he did.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Now I will admit, none of my mentors have been able to divide water with their coats, but they’ve done some pretty amazing things by sharing their faith with others.  I hope I’m able to do the same.

Will I one day witness them being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, most likely not, though that would be cool.  I do hope that when their work here on earth is done, part of their spirit will live on in me.  Just as Elisha carried on Elijah’s mission of prophecy, so too do I want to be a good steward of their legacy.

Father, you are the ultimate mentor.  Thank you for placing people in our lives to show us the way.  May we each seek out others we can share your kingdom mission with.  Amen 

Trust

 1 Kings 17:1-6 The Message And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: “As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise.”

2-4 God then told Elijah, “Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I’ve ordered the ravens to feed you.”

5-6 Elijah obeyed God’s orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook.

Elijah is just like you and me. Elijah means "my God is the Lord." We don't know a lot about Elijah...what we do know he had a desire to follow God despite the hand he was dealt or the trials he endured. We know that there were highs and valleys in Elijah's life...we know he questioned God yet remained faithful to following God and His commands.  

In the above story we see Elijah's obedience and God's blessing on Elijah's life but we get to read the story from start to finish. We see God's ask and we see the reward: God asked Elijah to go...not to wait until the time felt "right" but to GO, NOW! He told Elijah to leave his current life and head to an uncharted territory. It was far away AND God told him up front there was going to be a drought...no water, not even dew on the land unless God commanded it. Life was dry...not fruitful. Elijah didn't know when God would allow the earth to produce living giving dew or allow the clouds to release rain. 

Elijah had to trust God would do what He said He would...Elijah had to wait for the dew to form, the rain to flow. Elijah had to trust and wait that God would not only perform these life giving actions the first time but that the God of heaven and earth would command, order,  these life-sustaining actions again and again to sustain Elijah's life over and over again.

You know what? God did! God did what He said he would do! Sure enough, God provided for Elijah. He drank from the brooks of water and nourishment was carried right to him. 

Elijah took the risk. He went. He trusted. He endured. He waited. He was uncomfortable. He was scared. He was alone. He drank. He was fed. He thrived.

We are called to this same kind of faith. May you know that God will show up in your story. The same God called Elijah calls us and will feed us. No matter the dessert. No matter the circumstance. He is there!