We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on June 25, 2019.
Reading Then 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. Also 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. So, he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing. 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. He 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?’ He 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. (I Kings 19: 15-16, 19-21) Reflection Once again, I find myself in a schedule of travel every other week for a month or so. The suitcase comes out of the closet and goes back in again. I begin to wonder if I should just keep it out. Pack for a trip, go away, come back, do the laundry, and repack it all back in again for the next trip. That would simplify the process and I would always be ready. Packed ahead and ready. Elijah set out to find Elisha to anoint him to be prophet in Elijah's place. Elisha was plowing with his oxen and asked if he could go home first to say good-bye to his family. Elijah took this as being half-hearted, but Elisha did follow and become Elijah's servant and disciple. He was ready. How can we be quick to answer a call to do God's will? We journey best in this life with faith, hope and love, keeping prayer and trust in our hearts always. Packed ahead and ready. -- Ruth Gates Prayer You call us to follow you, Lord. May we be quick to answer and ready to do your will. Amen
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