LIFE ALL-IN
Kimberly Lawrence
Today’s Scripture: “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “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?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him,” (I Kings 19:19-21, ESV).
Theme: When God calls you to something, leave your past behind and go all-in, giving your all to Him.
NO TURNING BACK NOW
My family and I moved to North Carolina about 20 years ago. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder, “What in the world were we thinking?” My husband and I talked loosely about making a move to the area “one day,” but the reality set in when I was presented with a formal job offer and we had to make that critical decision. With a 4-year-old and a baby on the way, I suddenly felt the weight of possible consequences and what-ifs. The wheels would be put in motion as soon as I said “yes” and there was no turning back. We would be leaving a town I grew up in, our extended family and jobs where we had 10 years invested. It was equal parts scary and exciting.
Today’s Scripture shows us how Elisha was called to follow God and he went all-in! He didn’t step forward with just one foot while keeping the other foot safely in his old life. He trusted God implicitly. How do we know? Well, he could have stored his equipment and asked a friend to tend his oxen, just in case things didn’t work out. Instead, Scripture tells us he burned his ploughing equipment, then sacrificed the oxen and cooked the meat to feed the people. He was completely invested and forging ahead in his new life. There was no need for a back-up plan.
GOING ALL-IN
How many times do we hold onto a security blanket out of fear or uncertainty? God might be calling us to something greater, but we hesitate, worry, or spend time looking in the rearview mirror. Spend time in prayer today, asking God to help you trust Him like Elisha did. Perhaps you’re still partially invested in your old life. While you may not have ploughing equipment to burn or oxen to sacrifice, you might need a change of physical location, job, or circle of friends. To fully embrace your new life in Christ, perhaps you need to reevaluate where, how, and with whom you spend your time. Pray for the courage to follow the plan God has for you by going all-in.
Pray: God, I admit that I’m sometimes fearful and don’t trust You like I should. Forgive me. I want to fully experience all You have planned for me and to be obedient to You. Show me the ways I need to rely on You more and give me the courage to make changes in any area of my life to reflect my faith in You. Amen.
Read: Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 32:8; Isiah 55:8-9
Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, ESV