I Kings 19:19-21 [19] 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. [20] 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 you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” [21] 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.
Have we forsaken all that needs to be forsaken in order to truly follow Jesus? There are many examples in God's Word of people who forsook all in order to allow God to fulfill His purpose for their lives. Abraham was called to leave his father's house and go to a place that was not specified in the beginning of God's call on his life. Yet, Abraham trusted God and went. Moses was willing to leave the comforts and prestige of Egypt to be with his people. God later used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The twelve disciple forsook all to follow Jesus. God used them greatly. What are we holding onto in this life that is keeping us from surrendering our lives for the Kingdom? What has the Lord asked us to let go of, so that He could use us completely for His purpose? It has become so easy for us to say that Jesus is our Savior and Lord. Sadly, the fact is that for many of us He is Savior, but we have not allowed Him to become Lord of our lives. Some, if not many, of us, are holding on tightly to pet sins, video games, social media, career choices, material things, selfish desires of prosperity, and other idols that are taking up precious time and robbing God of worship and service that belong solely to Him. Elisha turned around and went back home, after Elijah threw his mantle on him, and made sure he sacrificed whatever would have kept him from following God's call on his life. My question for us today is this, "What do we need to willingly sacrifice in order to allow God to fulfill His call on our lives?" Instead of thinking about what earthly thing we would lose if we followed Jesus; we need to think about what blessings and heavenly rewards we will gain by obediently submitting our will to the One who gave His life for us.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).
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