Main Point and Overview:
You are making an investment, even if you don’t know it. What you value, what you talk about, what you spend time doing is shaping your family…and those in your circle of influence. When Elijah approached Elisha about being his mentee, it was an easy choice. Why? It’s because Elisha had already observed Elijah’s boldness for truth and justice. What are your kids observing from you on a day-to-day basis? If our kids are going to continue our “values” in the future, it is going to be because they are convinced of how passionate we are about them. If they see complacency, it is highly unlikely that they will embrace them. So, the big question – what are you reproducing in your family? Elijah’s character and commitment to God were attractive to Elisha. On the other hand, there was a previous priest in Israel named Eli who had the opposite effect. He was so consumed with “doing the Lord’s work” that he failed to hold his sons accountable for their sensual behaviors. Ultimately, he “lost” his family while he tried to “save” everyone else. Don’t be naïve enough to think that investment in your career, friendships, hobbies, and even in an isolated relationship with God won’t produce consequences! What this means is that materialistic pursuits lead to eventual dead ends when they are the priority. What this means is that your #1 ministry is your family…not {whatever ministry you’re serving in right now}! While Elijah and Elisha were not blood-related, they are a fantastic example of what Godly influence looks like. Elisha was inspired to serve God by Elijah’s example. In the long run, he would perform twice as many miracles as Elijah. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our kids, and those in our circle of influence, were able to do even greater things for God than us?!
You are making an investment, even if you don’t know it. What you value, what you talk about, what you spend time doing is shaping your family…and those in your circle of influence. When Elijah approached Elisha about being his mentee, it was an easy choice. Why? It’s because Elisha had already observed Elijah’s boldness for truth and justice. What are your kids observing from you on a day-to-day basis? If our kids are going to continue our “values” in the future, it is going to be because they are convinced of how passionate we are about them. If they see complacency, it is highly unlikely that they will embrace them. So, the big question – what are you reproducing in your family? Elijah’s character and commitment to God were attractive to Elisha. On the other hand, there was a previous priest in Israel named Eli who had the opposite effect. He was so consumed with “doing the Lord’s work” that he failed to hold his sons accountable for their sensual behaviors. Ultimately, he “lost” his family while he tried to “save” everyone else. Don’t be naïve enough to think that investment in your career, friendships, hobbies, and even in an isolated relationship with God won’t produce consequences! What this means is that materialistic pursuits lead to eventual dead ends when they are the priority. What this means is that your #1 ministry is your family…not {whatever ministry you’re serving in right now}! While Elijah and Elisha were not blood-related, they are a fantastic example of what Godly influence looks like. Elisha was inspired to serve God by Elijah’s example. In the long run, he would perform twice as many miracles as Elijah. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our kids, and those in our circle of influence, were able to do even greater things for God than us?!
Posted in Devotional