Have You Slaughtered YOur Oxen?

(You Need To)

REFERENCE: I Kings 19:19-21 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. 20 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." 21 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.

Observation: When Elijah called Elisha he had a decision to make. He knew that it required a total change of his life. It meant saying good-bye to his family and lifestyle.

When God calls us, either to salvation or to a new, significant area of ministry, we have the same decision to make. Are we willing to let God "mess" with our neat lives and change our direction? Can we say "good-bye" to those things that bring us comfort, security and familiarity?

Elijah said to him, "think about what I have done to you." That is such a good thought for us. When God calls us, if we struggle at all to respond, think about what He is calling us to, what He has done to and for us. Fulfilling God purposes on earth is the most important thing we could invest our lives in and we are privileged if God asks us dive in deeper. What an honor; He does not need us, but He has chosen us to serve Him.

Elisha slaughters the oxen and feeds them to his friends. It is a symbol of burning his bridges. There is nothing, now, to go back to.

For us, we sometimes want to follow God but we want to keep our options open--something in the back pocket in case this "God thing" does not work out. Instead God wants us to be so radically willing to follow Him that there is no alternative, no option. It leads us to a place of complete trust in Him alone and that is a great place to be.

Application/Confession: Sometimes I just want to quit the assignment God has given me. I’m discouraged, I’m tired, I don’t feel like I am getting anywhere. I entertain the idea; imagine what it would be like doing something else. I need to remember that my oxen are slaughtered and gone--a long time ago. I am going to give my life for His Church, no turning back. There is something freeing about knowing that.

PRAYER: Lord, encourage me and remind me, when I feel down, what a privilege it is to be your servant. You have found me faithful, calling me into service and I am so thankful for that. Help me to be always faithful and thankful for your call.