Burn the Plows.

It was probably just another ordinary day as Elisha rose from bed that morning. After a quick bite of some breakfast, he wandered out into the front of the family home, gathered the oxen together and began the daily grind of plowing the fields. Plowing was grueling work but, thus was life. However, on this particular day, something would happen that would change the direction of his life forever. Enter into the scene a prophet by the name of Elijah.

The scripture says that Elijah walks up to Elisha and throws his cloak on him. This is a huge moment! In that one gesture – which has no words, by the way – Elijah the prophet was telling Elisha the plower that he had been chosen to follow in the footsteps and teaching of the famous and very well-known prophet.

Incredible.

So what does Elisha do? How does he respond? After asking to tell his parents goodbye, he then does the following: “He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” (1 Kings 19:19-21)

Let me state the obvious here: Elisha would have made a great Texan. I love that he goes back to his family home and throws a barbecue before he leaves and follows in the footsteps of the prophet Elijah. And once that decision was made? There was no turning back. No more plows, no more oxen. He was all in.

What I am coming to learn as truth is this: the one that God uses the most, is the one who holds onto the least.

Perhaps today you won’t have a fire and brimstone prophet walk up to you and throw a cloak around you. However, if you have given your life to Jesus, you have been called to follow in His steps. Think about that for a moment. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Perhaps there are some pieces of that old life that try to creep back into your “new creation” story. Friend, let me encourage you. Put them down. The only way forward is just that…forward!

Jesus has you. Keep on following the Leader, my friend! As you follow, here are four truths that go with you. Be encouraged.