Daily PresenceSample

Athletics and sports have played a major role in how I’ve learned to respond to life. Some of the greatest lessons one could ever learn can be learned on a field playing organized team sports. There we learn how to compete, how to train, and how to deal with both successes and failures. These responses can also be applied to life.

Early in my football playing career I was on junior varsity. As a freshman and sophomore in high school we often served as the practice defense (practice dummies) that our varsity would face to get them ready for Friday nights in the fall. Many of my days were spent with much larger, older human beings crushing me into the ground, but each day I came back for more. Why? Because I knew that one day I would be the older guy, would be on varsity, and would have a chance to compete at a higher level. It wasn’t easy but I kept coming back for more because I knew it would be my time soon.

So much of today’s reading can get lost in Elijah’s transition into heaven. What a spectacular sight that would have been, and good for him-he was one of only two people in the Bible that did not have to face death. Instead, perhaps we should focus on the persistence and preparation of Elisha. He would not allow Elijah to go on without him, fully knowing that he wouldn’t be with him much longer, he did everything he could to prepare to step into his shoes and take over for him. 2 Kings 2:9-10 says, “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.”

Elisha saw the big picture. Sure he was to lose his leader in Elijah, but he still had so much more to accomplish for God in Elijah’s place. He had paid his dues, been persistent, and come to a place where he was ready to carry the torch. May we all continue to be persistent in our pursuit of God-that we may be ready when the time comes to answer his call!