A plow can be viewed as both a burden and a blessing; all
depending upon how we as individuals perceive it to be. Oftentimes the blessing is disguised as a
burden. Work is a burden but it feeds us,
clothes and provides for us; it gives us purpose and hope for a harvest in the
new season.
When Elisha was out plowing in his family field and the
Prophet Elijah came by, it wasn't a coincidence or happenstance that he came
upon him. Most children in biblical
times didn't study and sit at the feet of scribes or Holy men but instead were
instrumental in keeping in line with the family business. However, I do believe that what Elisha was
doing during his time walking the line and life laid out before him in a line
of rows – one after the other – endless, boring and monotonous – was that he prayed as he took every deliberate step
to stay in-line, on pace and on course.
God had heard his prayers and had, in his perfect timing
sent the Prophet Elijah to change the course of history and diverted his path
to a life coloring outside the black and white lines of a regimented life that
was preset by generations before him.
There is a miserable comfort in doing what we have always
done and what our forefathers have done before us. There is honor in following in the footsteps
of those that preceded you but there is great
blessing and favor of God the
Father when we pray, wait and receive what had been hidden and unspoken in the
heart of a believer.
Jesus taught that once we put our hands to the plow, that we
shouldn't look back. Elisha was plowing
straight ahead, doing what a good child would do in his situation. It was the man of God that showed up and
tossed his mantle upon him. He ran after
the Prophet because he knew that his prayers had finally come to fruition and
that it was now time for him to step into a realm that many often don’t see;
and that is to see God do what he
said he would do. Many are watching and
waiting to see if God will do it in another’s life, all while wasting their prayer
time that could be used for their own good; that is, waiting and trusting God
for the answers they seek for their own life.
Jesus said take his yolk upon us, for his yolk is easy. In all actuality, the oxen are really doing
all the strenuous work; they are the beast of burden. Our job is to follow
in behind them. Jesus is doing all the
work, we just have to follow in behind him and wait for the opportunity to run
after. It’s coming – that is if you keep
on praying!
