Burn The Bridge to Your Past

1 Kings 19:21

New International Version

So Elisha left him and went back. 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.

For Encouragement

How we respond to God’s call determines our faithfulness, commitment, and dedication to Him and His kingdom agenda. It becomes the foundation for our attitudes, tenacity, and ability to stand against any temptation and persecution that comes our way.

Twelve oxen and plows! Not bad for the young man, Elisha. His parents might have been proud of him and his community, too. He prospered and had a bright future ahead of him. However, this man, Elijah, changed it all for him. Elisha understood the prophet Elijah’s gesture with the cloak. His prosperous farming enterprise aside, he set his heart after Israel’s God, so he understood spiritual things (1 Kings 19:19-21).

“The Lord needs you, Elisha!” (19).

I am sure the Lord has blessed many of you reading this message with a profitable business, a decent job, a home, and a peaceful community. Some of you are standing on the threshold of a breakthrough, and you have big plans. A loving wife, a happy family, and a respectable place in your church and community testify to God’s favor upon you. You are content and praising the Lord. You are like Elisha and have always testified to God’s glory, but now this.

The call of God is a heavy responsibility that demands obedience, total yieldedness, and commitment. It could be a ministry call or total consecration. You sense it, and others confirm it, but what do you do with all your engagements?

Elisha faced this dilemma with unwavering courage and determination. His unwavering commitment to God’s call is a testament to his faith. He knew what he had to do when God called. Everything that held his heart captive had to give way to the Lord—his father, mother, community, and profession.

There was no turning back. Therefore, he ‘took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them … burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate.’ Then he set out to follow Elisha as his servant (20-21). He burned the bridge to his past to dedicate himself to God and His call.  

Place this story in Philippians 2:5-9 and see the profound similarities between Elisha’s response to God’s call and that of Jesus. You will admire their self-emptying, servanthood, humility, and total obedience. This is the essence of responding to God for His glory — Discipleship 101!

It is indeed challenging and demanding (Matthew 19:16-27; Luke 14:26-27), but we must respond with total abandon, the Elisha and Jesus’ way that has worked for all the faithfuls in Him.

The Hebrews writer had it right:

“If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have had the opportunity to return” (Heb. 11:15).

Commitment is key. Burn the bridges to your past and follow Jesus with an absolute commitment to His life. This unwavering devotion is what will carry you through the challenges and temptations that may come your way.

Pray with Me

Father, I am desperate for total surrender and commitment to you and your call upon my life. Please give me the strength and courage to empty myself and allow the Holy Spirit to take complete control of all my faculties so that I will please and glorify you in every way in Christ Jesus. Amen!