FAITH CAPSULE: When His calling comes, old things must be left behind.

1 Kings 19

Getting called by God and answering to His calling is commitment but not convenience. Elisha answered his calling with commitment. 1 Kings 19:19-21 recorded Elisha’s calling through Elijah, “So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. ²⁰ And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”” Answering to His calling requires leaving all behind and giving Him all attention. When His calling comes, old things must be left behind otherwise new things will not have a place in the called one. When calling locates man, moving forward must do away with the past. God’s calling is not a calling into religion but into Jesus reality.
In His calling there is a time to be sent out. He that calls man will not send man until man is equipped with all that it takes to carry His power. The Bible recorded that, Jesus, “…called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.” (Mark 6:7-9) Apparently, the calling of a believer is to follow God’s calling fully. In His calling there is a time to be trained and ready to be sent out for the purpose of calling. Among the disciples of Jesus, none called himself, but Jesus called all.
Are you called by Jesus or you have placed a call on yourself?
His calling is a journey where commitment takes the place of convenience. Do you know your calling? If you have answered to His calling then you have a need to make yourself available to be sent out. Elisha’s calling, disciples of Jesus’ calling received order that no material should come between calling and the journey of their calling. Jesus gave power without any material because with Jesus’ power in hand all things work for His glory. Do not hold back your calling; be assured that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to answer His calling with commitment.