Word Count: 761

Contact Jerry Ousley

Giving Up Elijah

by Jerry Ousley  
1/30/2010 / Christian Living

If you're like me, when talking about Elijah and Elisha, you often get them confused. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read about these two great prophets of God; still, I suppose because their names are so similar, whenever I speak about them I usually have to take the time to look it up to make sure I've got the right prophet. Personally I think many pastors and speakers have the same problem but most won't acknowledge it. But then, that's the good thing about the Bible; when we get confused we can take the time to look it up to make sure we've got our facts straight.

Elijah was the mentor of Elisha. A careful reading of 1 and 2 Kings will reveal their story. God had told Elijah to make an apprentice of this farmer and I believe that it was in Elisha's heart all along. That's just the way God works. From the moment Elijah approached Elisha he left all and followed him. The Bible tells us in 1 Kings 19:19-21, that even though he wanted to say good-bye to his father and mother, when Elijah departed from him, he immediately killed the yoke of oxen with which he was plowing, cooked their meat and gave it to the people, then left all to follow the prophet.

In 2 Kings 2 we read the story of how Elijah was taken from Elisha. It was time for the student to become the prophet and the teacher. Elisha didn't want Elijah to leave. You can read the story for yourself but the point I'd like to make is that there always comes a time for the apprentice to become the master.

I've had several "Elijahs" in my lifetime. I remember as a teenager, just called into the ministry and raw as a rare steak, my pastor at the time was an "Elijah" to me. Often in my spare time I'd visit him and we would talk about the Bible for hours. I learned much from this man. But the time came when I had to leave. A couple of years later another pastor became my "Elijah." God placed him in my life and he gave me many opportunities to teach and to preach the word of God. There were times he put me in a place where I just had to grab the reins and take control. I was scared and I'm sure I made mistakes; but he pushed me to do things I probably would have never done on my own.

Later in life another man, who was a district overseer of the denomination I was in at the time, became another "Elijah" to me. These men were all used greatly to shape and mold me. They taught me things I will never forget. But there came a time when God pushed me out of the nest of these wonderful men.

I could also say that my grandfather and grandmother were "Elijahs" to me, as well as my parents. And I'm certain there were many others who just don't come to mind right now.

I spent a year in Bible College and finished by correspondence. School is always beneficial and I will never knock getting an education. But these people in my life were in a very big way another school to me. They taught me things about people, relationships, and practical knowledge that you can never find in an institution of higher learning.
The point is that we all encounter "Elijahs" in our lives. There are people God places before us for our benefit and learning. There will come a time when we will graduate from that school. Perhaps we'll move on to another "Elijah" as I did throughout my life. We may not understand. Maybe your "Elijah" passed away and you felt robbed and cheated. Or there could have been other circumstances that caused the departing and you just couldn't understand why. The fact is that we all graduate sooner or later. That's just the way it is. The time comes when we are to take the reins and drive the horses ourselves.

When this happens always depart peacefully. If it has happened to you and it wasn't a peaceful departure, if possible go back and make it right because more than likely the departure was orchestrated by God Himself. Let "Elijah" go, grab up the mantel and move on in what God has for you and your life. When we do, it's hard telling what God intends to do next but isn't it exciting?

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Jerry Ousley

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer