2 Kings 2:1-6
I would like to start today with a challenge, take a few minutes and reflect back on your life. Think about how God has been faithful, then reflect back on people who have fought the good fight and finished the race strong that poured into your life and were a part of your growth. As we read our scripture reading today, we see how Elisha respected the past by respecting Elijah. He knew that God was going to call Elijah home but he stayed by his side, throughout we see Elisha say.
“As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”
My question to you and myself is do we respect the investment others have made into our spiritual growth? I think sometimes we take way too much for granted. Just the other day I was speaking with my men's group in Grand Blanc and told them that I will forever be grateful for Toby Hubbard. A man of God that fought the good fight and finished the strongest I have ever seen someone run the race. His impact on me and hundreds of others do not get lost after his coming home party. They continue as we live out that same love for others.
The biggest take away for me in this section is that Elisha stayed by Elijah's side even though he knew the end was near for him. Elisha did not say: “let me stay back so I can prepare for my impact.” He walked with Elijah to Bethel, then Jericho, then to Jordan. Elijah was the foundation for Elisha's impact. As I think back on our brother Toby, Toby had a foundational impact on my life and many others. We can honor the past by building on the foundation others have laid. I challenge you today: what foundation was laid for you to build upon? Are you honoring the past and building on it or are we trying to do everything ourselves? I have heard it been said:
“We should never be so focused on where God is taking us that we forget to respect the people and lessons He used to bring us here.”
God uses people both past and present to help us grow in our faith journey. How are you respecting the past?
“As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”
My question to you and myself is do we respect the investment others have made into our spiritual growth? I think sometimes we take way too much for granted. Just the other day I was speaking with my men's group in Grand Blanc and told them that I will forever be grateful for Toby Hubbard. A man of God that fought the good fight and finished the strongest I have ever seen someone run the race. His impact on me and hundreds of others do not get lost after his coming home party. They continue as we live out that same love for others.
The biggest take away for me in this section is that Elisha stayed by Elijah's side even though he knew the end was near for him. Elisha did not say: “let me stay back so I can prepare for my impact.” He walked with Elijah to Bethel, then Jericho, then to Jordan. Elijah was the foundation for Elisha's impact. As I think back on our brother Toby, Toby had a foundational impact on my life and many others. We can honor the past by building on the foundation others have laid. I challenge you today: what foundation was laid for you to build upon? Are you honoring the past and building on it or are we trying to do everything ourselves? I have heard it been said:
“We should never be so focused on where God is taking us that we forget to respect the people and lessons He used to bring us here.”
God uses people both past and present to help us grow in our faith journey. How are you respecting the past?
Posted in Devotional