Call of Elisha
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all may be certain that faithfulness in little things is the evidence of
fitness for greater responsibilities. Every act of life is a revelation of
character, and he only who in small duties proves himself “a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed” can be honored by God with higher
service.
2 Timothy 2:15
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He who feels that it is of no consequence how he performs the
smaller tasks proves himself unfit for a more honored position. He
may think himself fully competent to take up the larger duties; but
God looks deeper than the surface. After test and trial, there is written
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against him the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art
found wanting.” His unfaithfulness reacts upon himself. He fails of
gaining the grace, the power, the force of character, which is received
through unreserved surrender.
Because they are not connected with some directly religious work,
many feel that their lives are useless, that they are doing nothing for
the advancement of God’s kingdom. If they could do some great thing
how gladly they would undertake it! But because they can serve only
in little things, they think themselves justified in doing nothing. In this
they err. A man may be in the active service of God while engaged in
the ordinary, everyday duties—while felling trees, clearing the ground,
or following the plow. The mother who trains her children for Christ
is as truly working for God as is the minister in the pulpit.
Many long for special talent with which to do a wonderful work,
while the duties lying close at hand, the performance of which would
make the life fragrant, are lost sight of. Let such ones take up the
duties lying directly in their pathway. Success depends not so much
on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not the possession of
splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service, but the
conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, the
unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others. In the humblest
lot true excellence may be found. The commonest tasks, wrought with
loving faithfulness, are beautiful in God’s sight.
As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a successor, passed the field
in which Elisha was plowing, he cast upon the young man’s shoulders
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the mantle of consecration. During the famine the family of Shaphat
had become familiar with the work and mission of Elijah, and now
the Spirit of God impressed Elisha’s heart as to the meaning of the