Made for More: Part TwoSample

Elisha

Whether it be Marvel, DC Comics, or Star Wars films, the majority of us love movies about heroes. In fact, the top-grossing movie of all time, Avengers: Endgame, is a superhero film.

We are fascinated with heroes because they do things that the majority of us are unable or unwilling to do - so much so that we gladly spend hours on hours to watch them do these things. 

Today, many of us even have our own kind of influential heroes. Maybe it’s a basketball player, an actor, or even an influential figure you look to keep up with on Instagram. We all have our own heroes who we seek to emulate in some way. 

But what about actual heroes for our daily lives on this earth? Do we seek that out? Are we intentional about who we choose to make our heroes? We can all use MORE real HEROES to emulate. The prophet Elisha was the premier protege in the Bible and very much sought to be like his own hero on earth, Elijah. Elisha followed the prophet Elijah, and so looked up to Elijah that he asked him for a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9).

What did Elisha mean when he said give me a double portion? And what was it about Elijah that made him a hero to Elisha? Elisha specifically asked for a “double portion of his spirit.” Someone’s spirit is often referred to as the essence of who they are, the internal workings of one’s life. The tremendous heroic spirit Elijah had was what Elisha was after. 

So, what was it about Elijah’s spirit that made him a hero to Elisha? 

Elisha’s hero was A PERSON OF PRAYER. Elijah sought the Lord and rarely moved until he heard from him. Elijah even cried out to the Lord, praying for three years for God to change his mind to bring rain after God had already sent him to tell the king he would stop the rain. Even in the New Testament, we are reminded that Elijah was human, as we are, but a person of consistent and powerful prayer (James 5:17). Elisha sought out Elijah, wanting a double portion of his spirit and also asking that he would pray this over him. People who are resilient in their faith are consistent in a life of prayer. And a person of prayer has a contagious spirit. 

Elisha also saw A PERSON OF OBEDIENCE and ACTION. Elijah was obedient to the voice of God and quick to follow through with what God had asked. As we read on day three, Elijah relayed to the widow, “For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” He didn’t question God’s leading or fear it (1 Kings 17:14). We seek out heroes with confidence who choose not to be afraid. But it doesn’t mean they don’t ever experience fear, and God doesn’t expect us to never feel fear. That is why scripture says, “Do not be afraid” (Isaiah 41:10). For heroes, doing God’s will is more important than how they feel or giving in to their fear. 

Importantly, heroes are SOMEONE WILLING TO INVEST IN OTHERS, as Elijah had in Elisha. After the contest at Mt. Carmel, Elijah ran away because Jezebel threatened to kill him. He sat under a juniper tree and cried out to God, “I’ve had enough Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah carried a heavy burden and later told God, “I am the only one left,” believing he was the final prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 19:14). Yet God reassured Elijah that he was not the only one and that there was in fact a man dying to learn from him and be used by God, and his name was Elisha (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah returned to find Elisha, threw his cloak around him, his mantle of authority, and anointed him. Elisha became Elijah’s servant, and through his last moments on earth, Elijah invested significantly in the life of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21). 

Do you have a hero in your life? Do you have someone who you have asked to invest in you? The people we surround ourselves with are ultimately the one’s our lives will emulate. What kind of spirit do you want to follow and reflect? 

If you don’t have a hero, don’t wait for someone to come to you. Go to them. Whether it’s another student, a professor, or another person whose life reflects the spirit you know that God has designed you to grow into, seek them out. Ask them for coffee or lunch, and begin to learn the ways they have conformed their lives to Christ and lived boldly for him. 

Each of us needs someone to inspire us to live above our fears and to our fullest potential. Think and pray about who that person is for you, or ask God to send you one today. We all need a hero.