Living in the Spirit
June 21, 2016

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

 He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. –2 Kings 2:9-14

Much of our lives is spent preparing the next generation to continue the work set before us as children of God. I watch the children run down the aisles of the church as they come to the steps of the chancel for the children’s sermon. They are full of energy and comfortable with the recognition that this is their time this is there place.

I also recall sitting next to my mother as she lay in bed in the waning days of her life. We had wonderful conversations, ones I still cherish. Mom and I never worked well together. My sister and she could. Early on, Mom and I realized that more got done, if we sort of went our separate ways. I now think that may have been because we were so much alike and also because I am left handed. But while we could not weed gardens or pick peas without discord, we shared many common concerns about the world and could probe them with great discussions. I am my mother’s daughter, just as Elisha was Elijah son in the service of God.

We are failing our children by being unwilling to provide them with education tailored to their needs, the gifts of the knowledge we possess and the curiosity to explore new things, and the foundation they need to make this world all God intended it to be.

Prayer: Lord, enable us to provide a positive education for all your children in all aspects of life. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, 
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.