1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 (NRSV)
Read 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Verse 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.
Verse 19So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. Verse 20He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" Verse 21He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
Devotion
It's been a busy season in the church denomination in which I serve. Over the past nine weeks, 21 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's 65 synods have elected (or reelected) bishops. The process often starts at synod assembly with an ecclesiastical ballot. The term derives from the Greek word for church, ekklesia, which literally means "the called-out ones." Lifting up names from the people and listening to the Holy Spirit are essential first steps when it comes to choosing a leader who is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the synod.
We know that God "calls out" lots of different kinds of people to serve the church—not just pastors and deacons and bishops. And those calls appear in countless ways: a heart-feeling, an inner voice, the words of a trusted friend or mentor—even, for Elisha, in the literal passing of the mantle.
For whatever way you have answered God's call to serve, thank you. The church—and the world—needs the gifts you bring.
Prayer
For the faithful, committed, passionate leaders who serve and lead your church, O Lord, we give thanks. Guide them and grant them mercy, wisdom, humility, and stamina. Amen.