Called to Connection

Do you want to know how I spent my week?I bought a ranch. Not just any ranch, the Circle G ranch. Well, I didn’t buy it, Ms. Tumbleweed did. This week I got to watch the joy and fun of Vacation Bible School at the Circle G Ranch. And boy did they have a good time. Each morning this sanctuary went from stillness to excitement in a matter of minutes, and it wasn’t just the kids. Counselors greeting them, and their parents, with smiling faces, the drama team bringing the script to life and even the quietest volunteer singing the loudest to make sure everyone is having a good time. These kids might not remember all the things they did this week, but they will certainly remember the connections made. Even parents coming up to counselors and saying, “my kid was with you last year” and “my kids had an awesome time this week.” Nothing beats the feeling of connection, knowing someone remembers you, knowing that you have a shared memory, that makes the difference.

I know some of you are on the edge of your seat waiting for when I will read the second scripture for today, don’t worry we will get to it. But first,let me remind you or what we talked about last week.

Last week we began our summer sermon series “Called In”. A sermon series inspired by proverbs chapter 3, that explores the ways in which God continues to call us into community, and to divine relationship. Sometimes being called in means being called away from areas where we have clearly done wrong, caused harm, or fallen short. In other moments, God may simply be working to refine us further, encouraging us to continue on a path toward faithful maturity. In every other instance, however, God is inviting us into something better, fuller, and more holy. Yet sometimes they work together, calling out and calling in brings these moments full circle.

Here are two important things to remember as we engage in this series, there are two ways people are called in. First, calling someone out. To call someone out is forcefully challenging someone’s words or action. Second, calling someone in. And to call someone in is inviting someone, through conversation and relationship, to consider a better way. It may seem confusing at first, but we will work through this together.

We opened the series with the book of 1 Kings and the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a well-known prophet from the northern kingdom who found himself in the middle of conflict. Here's a quick recap: the books of 1 and 2 Kings show us the long line of kings in Israel and last week we spent time with Elijah at a pivotal moment in his life. And we received the first pillar in this sermon series the “call to self-care.”  This self-care that I talked about was calling out the things that are both obvious and subtle challenging your own actions. Removing yourself from the places that you have caused harm or been too complacent. Allowing yourself space and time to be forgiven, renewed and changed. Through Elijah we saw that after that time he had a renewed sense of call to return to the people. And when it was time to give Elijah a message, God waited until after all the chaos when it was quiet, to speak inviting him back into relationship.

Today I want to introduce you to Elisha. Before we get confused, because the names sound very familiar, Elijah is the prophet we know, and Elisha is his disciple. Elisha has been with Elijah for quite some time as his servant, following as he moves around the region and watching all the conflict that arises between Elijah and Kings. How about that for on the job training. As a servant Elisha would travel with Elijah and watch how he responded in different situations. And Elisha was very devoted to Elijah. Elijah is his mentor, an experienced and trusted adviser.

We first encounter Elisha in 1 Kings 19, just a few verses after our reading last week. A voice of the Lord tells Elijah “You shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.” Elisha will be anointed a prophet, confirming the call that would change his life.

So, where are we this morning? I’m glad you asked, similar to last week the passage is on the longer side so we will read it in pieces, we begin with 2 Kings 2:1-2.

Elijah Ascends to Heaven

2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

We begin this morning with this strange thing that is about to happen. The Lord is ready to take Elijah, not on a nice car ride, instead by a whirlwind. Don’t worry Elijah has lived up to his called, especially after being redirected last week, and his time is coming to an end. Elijah and Elisha are connected, so we can tell he doesn’t want Elisha to see what is about to happen so he tells him to stay there.

Elisha responds with “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

Deep connection between people is powerful and complex. When other people speak into our lives, speaking with love and faith, it helps us to develop our God given gifts. And it builds a bond that is unbreakable. So, Elisha says “I will not leave you.” I think he can sense what is happening too.

We continue our reading 2 Kings 2:6-8

⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. ⁷ Fifty men of the company of prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. ⁸ Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and the two of them crossed on dry ground.

Did you hear that Elijah parted the water? Do you know of anyone else who did that? He is indeed a special guy.  However, time after time Elijah continues to try to leave Elisha to met God. He knows that the time is approaching and yet does not want to say goodbye. Elisha just wants to stand beside him, and so do many other prophets who went also.

Let’s keep going with 2 Kings 2:9-12

⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” ¹⁰ He responded, “You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” ¹¹ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Elijah begins calling in Elisha. Calling him in through conversation to prepare him for what lies ahead. Like our sermon series God is simply working to refine Elisha further, encouraging him to continue on a path toward faithful maturity. Elijah has connected him to this calling by refining his skill, understanding and faith. And he gives him another chance to ask for what he needs before Elijah is taken.

Elisha asks to “inherit a double share of your spirit.”  Now why would he do that? That seems kind of selfish. But it is actually a sign of respect. Elisha is respectful of his mentor and only wishes to live up to who he was, so he asked if he might receive the same spirit he has. It’s flattering for sure, but it is proof of the connection with his mentor. Elijah doesn’t just give him what he wants to hear, instead he says it could happen, or it could not.

Then the time comes. They go for a walk and suddenly everything changes. There are chariots of fire, horses of fire, a confusing strong wind and Elisha no longer sees him. Lost and confused he rips his clothing, and I can imagine there was yelling and screaming.

Our last section is 2 Kings 2:13-14.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

¹³ He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. ¹⁴ He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water. He said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? Where is he?” He struck the water again, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha crossed over.

In the midst of grief, Elisha is angry, which is expected because he has lost a friend. He is so angry that he says “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? Where is he?” Losing a mentor and friend is difficult. Especially when this person is the one who has poured into you for so long and you are about to embrace this new calling. How nice would it have been for Elisha to have his mentor with him the first time he is called upon as a prophet.

But the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. Right after he releases his anger, something amazing happens, he parts the water too. The very next verse after our reading says When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. A day filled with uncertainty, ends with a blessing for Elisha.

Have I confused you enough today? Don’t worry, we are almost finished. So, if you feel like you missed something lean in a little closer.

Last week we talked about the call to self-care and this week is the call to connection. I really think the two go hand in hand. Because to be the best version of yourself you must call out the behaviors that can be detrimental to yourself. Then after you have reconciled those behaviors, you can pour into the next person.

Today we met Elisha, a newly called prophet who is about to begin his ministry. However, with one beginning of his ministry, there comes an end to another. We meet them having a conversation, or you might call it a moment, before Elijah ascends toward heaven. We saw as Elijah willingly passed the baton to the next generation knowing that Elisha was ready. We watched Elisha try to hold on just a little longer to an inspiring friend that he knew would be guiding him along his journey. We also saw honest emotion when plans don’t work out the way we had hoped.

Mentors are essential to our growth, especially in matters of faith. Not only did God invite Elijah back in giving him a second chance, then Elijah had the chance to call and invite Elisha in. Elijah saw how God revealed Elisha to him and took the opportunity to inspire and push him toward growth in his faith.  And Elisha gained first hand knowledge that will be beneficial for his future.

Today the call is to connection. Specifically, connection between individuals, defined as a relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else. This call to connection is allowing God to use you to help others reveal and use their God given gifts. Through intentional relationship, you can foster growth in a friend that sparks change and maybe even inspire generations. Part of our calling as believers has always been to walk with those around us and nurture the ones coming behind us.

This call to connection is not simply that you become a teacher or a guide or a good friend, rather it is a call to deeper intentional relationship with others. It is a call to show others the love of God through you. When you volunteer for VBS, you are not doing it for the tshirt and snacks. You volunteer because you want to make a difference, you want to see the change in kids from day 1 to day 5. You want to build intentional relationships, so that when a kid thinks back on their childhood it is flooded with memories that show the good the church can be.

Elijah and Elisha had a connection so deep, that it felt like that of a father and son. So, of course he was confused when it was time for Elijah to be taken. But because of this relationship Elisha lived up to the call placed on him and we find out in the chapters to come that he did receive a double portion of the spirit of  Elijah.

Think about the mentors you have had in life and how they impacted you. How they have changed you over time and lead to great things. Now it is your turn to do the same for those around you. Who are you nurturing? How are you nurturing them? How is God inviting you into deeper relationship? How is God refining you, encouraging you and inviting you back into something better, fuller and more holy?