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Battling through prosperity, security, family concerns, and whatever else the enemy may throw at you, be ready to:

Receive your new assignment with open hands and a willing heart- That said, note first

the symbolic way in which the call was consummated. Locating Elisha, “Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him” (1 Kings 19:19). Such symbolism, from which we get the phrase “passing of the mantle,” signifies a transfer of power and Elisha’s acceptance of prophetic office. Though used here primarily as a symbol, the cloak was real and did serve a purpose --protection from the hot desert sun and provision for cold nights. Earlier prophets, Samuel being one, wore robes similar to the priests and levites. Perhaps Elijah established a trend picked up by later Old Testament prophets (Zechariah 13:4), eventually even John the Baptist (Mark 1:6). Next, consider the enthusiasm with which Elisha responded. Spotting Elisha, he ran after him (1 Kings 19:20). Such eagerness brings to mind Phillip the evangelist running to the Ethiopian eunuch’s chariot when instructed by the Spirit to do so (Acts 8:30). President Lincoln was walking through a War Department hallway when an officer, not paying attention, collided with him. Discovering who he had run into, the horrified officer gasped, “A thousand pardons Mr. President! A thousand pardons!” “One is quite enough," responded Lincoln, adding, “I wish the whole army would charge like that.” Interestingly, the word enthusiasm comes from the two Greek words en and theos, which combine to render “full of God.” What better way to receive a call of God than to be full of God. See finally that Elisha responded completely. After taking on the cloak and returning to say goodbye to the family, “He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate” (1 Kings 19:21).

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