Promising Words

Remember those times when you really wanted to see something happen but for one reason or another you missed it? I can remember many times, mostly in my youth, when I missed the event I was wanting to see. Usually I missed things because I fell asleep before it happened, ran a quick errand, or was distracted. I also remember the more I wanted to see the event the harder it was to stay alert and attentive. That is how I imagine Elisha in our story from Kings today. He was going to follow his mentor, Elijah, to the end. It was not easy. Coupled with the sadness and stress of knowing Elijah was to be taken that day he had to listen to the naysayers who were telling him what he already knew who were suggesting that it was already over and he should just give up and find something else to do. Then, on top of that, Elijah tells him to stay alert for if he did he would receive what he desired. Talk about pressure to stay alert. I wonder if you could have done it, I doubt that I could have. 

We read this story because it is about Elijah who, with Moses, appears with Jesus on the mountain during the transfiguration. But note, there are several differences between these two stories. Elisha knows something will happen, is ever alert, and keeps his wits about himself. The disciples haven’t got a clue and show their ignorance. In Kings, Elisha is the one who declares God’s act while at the transfiguration God is the one who speaks. I wonder which one best fits your life. Are you like Elisha ever prepared and alert for God to act or are you like the disciples caught unaware, babbling something stupid?

I cannot answer for you – although I could guess – I know that I fall into the later category. No matter how prepared I am I find myself confused and babbling so much so that I often miss the opportunity to see, hear, and experience God’s call. But then, that is the usual way people react to God. Elisha is one of the exceptions. Usually when God or an angel approaches someone in the Bible they are terrified, usually fainting or falling down. You then are not alone. Countless people have missed the opportunity to see and serve God. But, unlike Elisha who had to stay alert or miss it forever, we always are given other chances. Just a brief look at the disciples will assure you of that. How many times did Jesus tell them of his mission and they did not understand. They all were caught unaware at Calvary. 

We have received the promise of God in Christ Jesus. That promise – God’s love – assures us that it is not what we do but what Jesus did that calls us into relations with God and the world. In response to God’s promise we share God’s love. We will miss opportunities, we will make mistakes, but God will not abandon us. Instead of staying alert to receive a double portion of God’s Spirit we are called to share that Spirit so that others will experience God’s love through our work.