When God changes our mind
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel. — 2 Kings 2:1-2
Hearing from God is one Big Deal. It’s actually one amazingly Big Deal. Elijah honors his message from the Lord by saying to his apprentice, “Stay put.”
Elisha counters, “I am going with you.”
Hmm. This is awkward. Now what?
There may have been more conversation between the two prophets on whether Elisha should go on with Elijah than scripture indicates, but the gist is this. Elijah doesn’t follow God’s directive. (And the text doesn’t say God rescinds and allows Elisha to continue the journey.)
Is not following the Lord a struggle for Elijah? I’m not sure, but we do know love and allegiance are clear here. What is also clear is God is ALL about love and allegiance to those who follow Him. God is also ALL about love, allegiance and having us connect to others on the journey so that His Kingdom on earth is clearer, stronger, and more present not to a few chosen ones, but to everyone.
I don’t think God changed God’s mind. I think God let Elijah change his mind. I imagine Elijah’s love for God grew in the moment so that Elijah knew God wasn’t set, but always in motion for more and more love on the road.
PRAYER: Change our minds when we hear You one way, Lord, but are open enough to hear (and experience) You differently later. Amen.
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