As we celebrate All Saints’ Day, we’re reminded of the profound impact that those who have gone before us have had on our faith journey. This day isn’t just about remembering the past; it’s about drawing inspiration from it to shape our future. The story of Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19-21 offers us a powerful lens through which we can view our own calling and the legacy we’re meant to leave behind.
Elijah, one of the most significant prophets in the Old Testament, had just come through a series of dramatic events. He had confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, calling down fire from heaven in a spectacular display of God’s power. Yet, soon after this spiritual high, he found himself fleeing for his life, falling into despair and depression. It was in this vulnerable state that God spoke to him, not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper.
God’s message to Elijah was clear: he was not alone, and his work was not finished. Among his final tasks was to anoint Elisha as his successor. This brings us to the powerful scene of Elijah finding Elisha plowing in the fields.
The biblical account gives us a seemingly small but significant detail – Elisha was working with the twelfth of twelve pairs of oxen. This subtle information speaks volumes about Elisha’s background. He came from a wealthy family, with security and stability assured for his future. Yet, when Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha, symbolizing the call to prophetic ministry, Elisha’s response was swift and decisive.
Elisha’s request to say goodbye to his parents might seem reasonable to us, but his actions afterward reveal the depth of his commitment. He doesn’t just leave his old life behind; he burns the bridges. Elisha slaughters the oxen and uses the wooden plow as fuel to cook the meat, hosting a farewell feast for his community. This dramatic gesture signifies a complete break from his past life and a full embrace of his new calling.
This story challenges us to consider our own response to God’s call. How often do we cling to the familiar, the comfortable, or the secure when God is inviting us into something new? Elisha’s example reminds us that sometimes, answering God’s call requires us to leave behind what we know and step into an uncertain future with nothing but faith to guide us.
As we reflect on the lives of the saints who have gone before us, we’re reminded that we’re part of a long chain of faithfulness. Those who founded our churches, who fought for justice, who spread the gospel in challenging times – they all had their moment of hearing God’s call and choosing to respond. They left a legacy that we now carry.
But honoring their legacy doesn’t mean staying stuck in the past. It means taking the principles and faith that guided them and applying them to our present and future. We’re called to be like Elisha – honoring where we’ve come from while boldly stepping into where God is leading us.
This tension between honoring the past and embracing the future is at the heart of what it means to be the church today. We cherish our traditions and history, but we must be careful not to hold onto them so tightly that they become anchors preventing us from sailing into deeper waters of God’s grace.
In our personal lives and in our churches, God may be calling us to let go of certain comforts and securities. It might be a familiar role, a certain way of doing ministry, or even something as simple as “our pew.” These things shouldn’t be difficult to let go of, but when the time comes, we often find ourselves struggling. Yet, if we’re going to step into God’s invitation for us, we need the courage to follow Elisha’s example – to “burn the plows and throw a BBQ.”
This isn’t about change for the sake of change. It’s about recognizing that God’s call often leads us into the unknown, and being willing to take that step of faith. Just as Elijah’s ministry continued through Elisha, we’re called to carry on the work of those who have gone before us. We stand at a crossroads, tasked with both carrying on a legacy and building one for those who will come after us.
All Saints’ Day reminds us that we’re not the originators of this legacy of faithfulness, nor will we be the last. We’re making decisions now whose fruits we may never see, planting seeds whose harvest may come long after our time. Our task is to honor the past, learn from it, but not recreate it. Instead, we’re called to take those enduring principles of faith, hope, and love, and apply them to our present context.
As we consider our own calling – whether as individuals or as a church community – we’re invited to reflect on what it means for us to “take up the mantle” today. What is God calling us to leave behind or adapt as we step into the future He has for us? How can we honor the legacy of those who have gone before in a way that inspires boldness, generosity, and commitment to our community?
The challenge before us is to envision the legacy we want to leave for future generations. This requires committing ourselves to the difficult work of moving into an unknown future, pressing on with faithfulness, courage, and a heart for our community that will define us for years to come.
Like Elisha, we may be called to leave behind the familiar and step into a future that holds no guarantees other than God’s presence. But isn’t that the most important guarantee of all? As we honor the saints of the past and look to the future, may we have the courage to burn our plows, throw our BBQ, and step boldly into the calling God has placed before us.
