"So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow up."
And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"
So Elisha turned back from him and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and became his servant." 1 Kings 19:19-21 NKJV
In life, there comes a time when we sense the divine calling upon us - a moment that is powerful, unforgettable, and meaningful. Regrettably, some of us have not heeded this call. If you recall such a moment and find yourself in this situation, know that despite past hesitations, God's call remains open for you to respond to even now.
While toiling in the field, Elisha was summoned by the voice of God, through the prophet Elijah. He held a significant position as one of twelve laborers in the field and possessed his own oxen, which he utilized to sustain himself. This labor was demanding, strenuous, and essential. Crucially, his work supported not only himself but also his family, as well as his parents. Upon receiving God's call through the Prophet Elijah, he abandoned his occupation, companions, and loved ones to follow the path ordained by God.
This story tells us three things.
God will often reach you through the work of someone else.
While Elisha was diligently working in the field, God sent Elijah to summon him to enter the prophetic ministry. God utilizes intermediaries to connect with individuals. You might have received His call through a friend, a Bible study, a sermon, a book, a video blog, a song, or a knock at your door. However you came to hear God's call, understand that He is indeed calling you. He dispatches someone to remind you of His identity, and that person will impart His essence to you by touching you with his mantle. This mantle symbolizes the Spirit of God enveloping you with His righteousness and consecrating you for the purpose destined for your life. The mantle also signifies the warmth of His protection and favor as He readies you for the tasks ahead. Finally, It represents His shield against not only the sun's heat, cold, or rain, but also against the devil's fiery attacks aimed at disheartening, dissuading, and leading you astray. When God calls you, He not only beckons you but also equips you for the journey.
When you hear the calling, stop what you are doing and inquire unto the Lord, for what He has done for you.
When amidst the chaos of the world, filled with noise, responsibilities, distractions, and opportunities, you may perceive the calling of the Lord as a guiding light in the darkness. Imagine yourself walking down a dimly lit road with no moonlight, streetlight, or even a cell phone light, when suddenly a car approaches, illuminating your path. The driver stops and offers you a ride. In that moment, you have a choice: to continue in darkness or to inquire about the message the Lord has for you. He beckons you out of the field of life and onto the path of righteousness. This encounter is not mere coincidence; it is an invitation to step into the light and embrace what God has in store for you. While material possessions, that we toil for, may seem significant, true fulfillment lies not in worldly goods but in the spiritual blessings that await when we align ourselves with God's will.
When you receive the call from God, bless and inspire others just as you have been blessed and inspired by God. Upon hearing God's call through the prophet Elijah, Elisha did not immediately leave everything behind for his own sake. Instead, he first considered his parents to inform them of his readiness to heed God's call. Rather than selling his oxen and cart for a significant amount of money to fund his journey, as many would have done, Elisha thought about his friends who would remain working in the fields, laboring each day to support themselves and their families. Elisha's initial act of service was not self-centered, but focused on caring for others. He sacrificed his oxen, using them to prepare a meal for his friends by breaking his ox cart into pieces to create a fire. This gesture demonstrated not only his friendship and hospitality but also his trust in God to provide for his needs. To Elisha, this act was a form of offering to the Lord – his oxen symbolized his offering, and the broken ox cart served as the altar of sacrifice. Elisha gave all he had so that the Lord could be glorified and others could be blessed.
Each one of us has a divine purpose. If you are reading this message, it is a sign of God's plan for your life. The world's distractions may seem overwhelming, but God's mercy and grace are always enough. When you feel His calling, pause what you are doing and seek the Lord for His guidance. His calling is like a bright light in the darkness, as stated in Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Lastly, when you hear His call, share His teachings with those around you. His Word is life, as expressed in John 1:4, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."
photo credit: ID 11323087 | Calling © Cammeraydave | Dreamstime.com
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