Scripture:

“So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, ‘First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!’

Elijah replied, ‘Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.’

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.” 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NLT) 

Perspective:

When Elijah saw Elisha, he make a significant statement by putting his cloak on Elisha. Previously in 1 Kings 19, Elijah had encountered the Lord after a season of discouragement, and the Lord gave him specific instructions to go anoint Elisha as his successor. Yet, Elisha did not know. He woke up that day and went to work as he had for so many days before. In the ordinary moment of plowing the field, God saw Elisha’s faithfulness in the field, and his faithfulness would continue to translate into fruitfulness long after Elijah was gone. From the outside, it seemed that Elisha was simply saying yes to a good opportunity. Yet, it was more than a good opportunity; it was a God opportunity. When Elijah came to Elisha, he could have said no. He could have told him why Elijah should go find someone else for the job. Frankly, he already had a job. As they stood in the field, it would have seemed like an unlikely place for Elijah to call Elisha to serve with him. Elisha was being faithful in the season he was in and continued to work within his given circumstances. He didn’t have to move outside of his current calling for God to direct Elijah to him. Elisha still had to say yes. As they would embark on ministry together, Elisha would see how God was working through Elijah. Before Elijah departed from this earth, Elisha asked for a double portion of the blessing that had been on his life. God graciously granted him this request. Elisha’s decision to go with Elijah in the field redirected the entire course of his life.

In our lives, we can be plowing the fields and wonder if that field is the culmination of all God has for us. Like Elisha, we daily go to work doing what God has called us to do today. While we work, we can become anxious. We might think that surely there is more. We must not forget that our faithfulness in our current season is a precursor for what God will do next. God had already chosen Elisha to be the next prophet before he even knew. God saw Elisha in the field, and He sees you. He sees your faithfulness in your current job, and He sees the things He is preparing for you. He is able to direct and even redirect people, situations, and decisions at the proper time to position you. Elisha was unlikely to be chosen for this position; he wasn’t a religious student but rather working in a field. Yet, as Elisha was sensitive to what God was doing, he was in the right mindset when a life defining opportunity came in the form of a cloak on his shoulders. Before Elisha even knew this change was coming, God was working behind the scenes in Elijah’s life to direct him to Elisha. God spoke to someone else even before the opportunity was presented to Elisha. While you may see no change in your present circumstances, don’t forget that God is working and doing so many things that would simply surprise you. He is working behind the scenes. While you work, may God give you strength to be faithful to plant and plow in your current season, and when a God opportunity comes, may He give you the wisdom to know how to respond.

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Thank you for being a faithful reader! My greatest prayer is that the weekly devotionals will encourage and inspire you to continually live out your faith. Although it is the 250th edition of Monday Morning Coffee with Hona, we are just scratching the surface of what God wants to do in our lives. If you have appreciated or been blessed by any of the messages, please share it with at least 2 people you love. To you, my friend, may you experience the extravagant goodness of God this year!

 

 

 

 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

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