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It's Time to Turn and Burn
July 17, 2020
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When God calls you forward, you have a choice to stay where you are or go with Him. God doesn't force His will on us. We must choose to move forward with God through the doors he's opened. Recently I chose to follow God through the doors He's opened in my career as a creative storyteller and with my social media presence as a lifestyle personality. Those doors opened to branches full of "fruit'. So, when it comes to living on purpose for God, we "go where it grows."
With that said, I am ending the weekly Bible study series and replacing it with content that more closely aligns with my call as a creator. I'm going to talk more about the practical application of God's word and presence in my life. The team is working to put all of the 2020 Bible study emails on the Shine TYC website. If you go to "Bible Stuff" you'll find the "Women of the Bible" from 2019 and "Lessons from the Bible" from 2018 and the current series will be there by the end of the summer.
Bible study is a deep, reflective process with tons of cross referencing. I use at least four books to craft this newsletter each week: Two translations of the Bible, a commentary (usually more than one), and the Interlinear Bible for the original Hebrew and Greek language reference. It's a lot of work for someone like me who has not been formally trained as a theologian. Moving forward, you'll still get scripture references and a bunch of Jesus. That's Shine TYC living! However, the format will change a little.
So...why am I okay with this? How do I know I am doing the right thing? I'm glad you asked. This week...the final week of this "study" format... we're going to explore the calling of Elisha and a powerful lesson in purposeful living.
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But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62
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Dear God, align our hearts with your will for our lives. Give us clarity. Give us courage to obey when you call. Amen!
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This week's ShineTYC post "5 Reasons You Might Need to Burn Bridges" references our subject, Elisha. Elisha went "all in" for God. In 1 Kings 19:19-21, the prophet Elijah calls Elisha into service. The passage is short but it teaches us a few things about purposeful living.
There's a Plan
God doesn't work on the fly like we do. By the time you realize what God is calling you to do, he's already made the way for you. "The Calling of Elisha" starts with verse 19 of our passage. However, in 1 Kings 19:16 God tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor. There was a plan. Whether you know the details or not, God always has a plan.
Your Purpose Isn't Hiding from You
Elisha was working in the fields when Elijah came from behind and threw his cloak over him. This was a sign that Elisha was to be his successor as prophet. God made it plain to Elijah in verse 16 to call Elisha and God made it plain to Elisha in verse 19 that he had been called to serve God.
Purpose Takes Courage
In verse 20 Elisha runs after Elijah. He knew it was about to go down so he wanted to say goodbye to his family. Listen, moving forward is hard and it takes a heap of personal courage because following God's purpose for your life often requires you to change relationships with people you love.
Purpose Requires Sacrifice
Elisha wasn't broke and disgusted waiting for his change to come. Elisha was handling business. He was a success. When God called, Elisha made the choice to risk his current success for the promise of purpose. What will you risk to live on purpose?
Purpose Requires You to Be "All In"
Elisha burned it all. He had a comfy life with lots to offer that could tempt him not to follow God's call for his life. So, in verse 21 he got rid of it. All of it! Elisha broke the plows for fire wood and burned the livestock. He had nothing to come back to; so he could focus on God's purpose for his life no matter how hard it got. What do you need to burn?
Purpose is a New Beginning
Look at the end of verse 21. "He went with Elijah as his assistant." After having a successful venture of his own, Elisha humbled himself to become Elijah's assistant so he could learn and be more effective for God. Elisha went on to perform miracles of his own. These are chronicled in the Book of 2 Kings. However, when he accepted the call from God to be a prophet, he had a lot to learn.
Sure, you may have a very lucrative basket a lemons right now, but deep inside you know God wants you to plant peach trees. You may have tremendous success but are you living on purpose? What has God called you to do? If you don't know, spend time exploring. Read your Bible. Pray. Read books and listen to podcasts on purposeful living. Go for it. Go all in.
If you know what God wants you to do but just haven't done it, maybe it's time for you to burn it and turn like Elisha. Answer the call of purpose in your heart. It may not be easy but it is certainly worth it. I'm a witness!!!
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Read Your Bible.
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Grab a pencil, say a prayer, and get to work. For guided exercises on exploring your purpose, read my book STAY IN YOUR LANE.
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