9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.(II Kings 2)
Elijah had had a long, faithful ministry for the Lord. Like any man, he had his times of doubt and wrestling with God, but he remained faithful and true to God's calling. Things never seemed to die down. But the LORD had made known to him it was time to transition out. As he passes the baton to Elisha, we find the impact he had made on the younger prophet's life. Elisha wanted to be more of Elijah. What a compliment. Yet, at the same time, both men realized it was not Elijah in his own strength, but that of the Lord. Whereas most of us will never simply be whisked away into heaven, we can go on from this life in like form. We can live in such a way that we see the importance of always pointing to the Lord, remaining faithful, and investing in those around us. What a goal to set for our lives - one that focuses not just on today, but all the years to come, yet focuses enough on today to realize how important what we do every day matters in the big picture. Do not doubt the importance of your life or this day.
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