C O M M I T M E N T

I Kings 19:19 & 21

Who is the greatest example of total commitment in your sport?  Who has really committed him/herself 100% to your team and to excellence in competition?  How would you rate your level of commitment?  In today’s scripture we see a striking picture of radical commitment.

I the first book of Kings at chapter 19 and in verses 19 and 21 we read, “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shapat.  He was plowing with 12 yoke of oxen and he himself was driving the twelfth pair.  Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him….  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 to be his attendant.”

Elisha was a wealthy farmer plowing his ground until Elijah the prophet came to town.  By throwing his cloak around him, Elijah was inviting Elisha to join him in his work.  This sounds a lot like a recruiting visit.  At that point things changed radically for Elisha.  He committed everything to the pursuit God’s will. 

Elisha slaughtered his oxen and cooked them over a fire made from the plow.  That’s like a modern farmer blowing up his tractors.  The end result is the same; neither is going back to farming.  That is what total commitment looks like.  Elisha eliminated everything that would hinder his whole-hearted commitment to Elijah and to God.

My challenge to you today is to similarly commit to an absolute, whole-hearted, 100% effort in this competition.  Cast caution to the wind and hold nothing in reserve.  Be as desperate and radical as Elisha in your commitment to your team.

Bible Reading Plan:
John 16:1-11
Revelation 4
Job 30
Joel 2-3