A Wise Request

 

I love the mentor relationship where the more experienced and “seasoned” (aka older and wiser) teaches the younger, less experienced. I have been the beneficiary of this mentoring process many times over both in ministry and now in Real Estate. I have been a bit out of pocket and unplugged somewhat this week while on vacation. This is a bit of a challenge in this wired up world.

The first day of vacation I read the chapter is 2 Kings where Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind. I couldn’t help but remember the song by the late Rich Mullins called “Elijah”

The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through

My heart is aging I can tell

So Lord, I’m begging for one last favor from You

Here’s my heart take it where You will

 

This life has shown me how we’re mended and how we’re torn

How it’s okay to be lonely as long as you’re free

Sometimes my ground was stony

And sometimes covered up with thorns

And only you could make it what it had to be

And now that it’s done

Well if they dressed me like a pauper

Or if they dined me like a prince

If they lay me with my fathers

Or if my ashes scatter on the wind

I don’t care

 

But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah

With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire

And when I look back on the stars

It’ll be like a candlelight in central park

And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye

 

There’s people been friendly

But they’d never be your friends

Sometimes this has bent me to the ground

Now that this is all ending

I want to hear some music once again

‘Cause it’s the finest thing I have ever found

But the Jordan is waiting

Though I ain’t never seen the other side

They say you can’t take in the things you have here

So on the road to salvation

I stick out my thumb and he gives me a ride

And his music is already falling on my ears

But there’s people been talking

They say they’re worried about my soul

Well, I’m here to tell You I’ll keep rocking

‘Til I’m sure it’s my time to roll

And when I do

When I leave I want to go out like Elijah

With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire

And when I look back on the stars

It’ll be like a candlelight in central park

And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye  (“Elijah” by Rich Mullins 1996)

9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?’

‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied.

10 ‘You have asked a difficult thing,’ Elijah said, ‘yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours – otherwise, it will not.’

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, ‘My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!’ And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. (2 Kings 2:9-12 NIV)

I have read this same passage all this week and I began asking the Lord for a double portion of the Spirit of Jesus. I want to be kinder. I want to be more full of love. I want to be forgiving. I want to be gentle. I want my life to point to the Heavenly Father just like Jesus. I want the Spirit of Jesus to govern my life from top to bottom.

As a husband I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As a Dad, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I talk with others, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I show homes, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I list houses for sale, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I write contracts, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I attend closings, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

As I deal with difficult people, I want the Spirit of Jesus.

In all I do, I want a double portion of the Spirit of Jesus all over my life.

Pressing On!

Dwayne