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ly, his first decade and a half of service was action packed, constant ly being needed, a steady stream of teaching, miracles, and royal encounters. And yet, we know very little about the second half of his life. Surely he continued such work on a reduced scale; we just don’t know. Writing these words, I am in the midst of one of the most difficult seasons in ministry. Three years ago, I backed away from full-time senior pastor duties and moved from west to east of At lanta to be near grandchildren. And while that part of life has been very fulfilling, ministry has been more challenging. Having been in the pulpit most Sundays for 33 years, I’ve preached once in the last three months. I once conducted 26 funerals in a year. I’ve done one in the last two years. Seeing those much older still immersed in ministerial activity makes it even more difficult. Such times are teaching me to place my identity in Christ rather than activity and notoriety. It’s as if Jesus is asking me, “Todd, am I enough? Use this time to grow closer to Me, focusing on being as opposed to doing. ” I share these things, not to vent or seek sympathy, but rather to say that if you’re approaching this season and it’s in your DNA to operate in the thick of battle by forging relationships and minis tering to people at their deepest level of need, then start building a spiritual firewall through prayer and preparation.Together, let’s make it our desire to finish strong, celebrating the fact that de mands on us aren’t what they once were. Next, be ready to answer the bell, even if you’re not well. As this text unfolds, the Word says, “Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die” (2 Kings 13:14). At that point, Joash, current king of Israel, came to him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” (2 Kings 13:14).

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