Go find

So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. -I Kings 19: 19-20

The loneliness of ministry and the isolation of the cave caused Elijah to feel like he was indeed the only one God had left. For this reason, the only thing left for God to now do was to command him to go find some help. Elijah felt alone because he was alone. He felt overwhelmed because he was trying to do everything alone. He had a sense of powerlessness because he was attempting to carry the load alone. So, what he did was found Elisha the son of Shaphat.

Finding Elisha solved several problems for Elijah:

1. Elisha gave Elijah someone to share the load. Elisha was another person, but also a younger person. This added strength would not only lighten the prophet's load. It might have also had the effect of extending his life.
2. Elisha gave Elijah someone to show the ropes. God forbid that Elijah would leave the planet without pouring all that was in him into someone else. Thus, Elisha became a willing receptacle to receive all that Elijah was able to show him.
3. Elisha gave Elijah someone on whom to shift the ministry. When Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha, what he was doing was shifting his ministry to him. That is what actually happened. When Elijah was taken away into heaven, Elisha caught his mantle and picked up where he left off without ever missing a beat.

If you are weary and worn out as you read this today, maybe the answer is to go find an Elisha (or Elishette) who you can mentor and who can help you finish and carry on what God has already begun in you.

Pastor Benjamin Morris

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