So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. - 1 Kings 19:21

As I get older, my sense of adventure seems to be getting smaller. I think my comfort zone has shrunk to about 3 square feet. I pray for the Lord to do new things, take me new to places, and grow my impact, but am I really willing to let go of things that bring me security or keep me comfy cozy? Probably not.

I think that’s why this passage really hits home for me. Elisha, a farmer, has just been commissioned by the prophet Elijah. When we first encounter Elisha, he’s plowing with twelve yolk of oxen. This is a clue that he is well off and from a wealthy background. But upon Elijah’s commissioning, Elisha agrees to follow and obey the Lord after saying goodbye to his family.

But Elisha doesn’t simply say goodbye to the fam or the farm, as if he’s headed off to a temporary stint down south. He burns his plowing equipment and feeds his oxen to the townspeople. His work, his security, his commitment to his family, his backup plan – up in flames. Clearly, he has no intention of going back to his old life. This isn’t a short term gig. It’s a dramatic answer to God’s call, a total willingness to follow Elijah, and a costly commitment to not fall back on the old life. It’s really stunning.  

It’s an incredible reminder that answering the Lord’s call can be costly. Playing our part in the vital work of kingdom building requires earthly sacrifice. Honestly, that’s where I get so stuck. It’s scary. I don’t want to let go, or surrender any of this square footage I’m defending, and certainly not in any permanent way.

But I think this attitude of mine sells God short. Because God doesn’t ask us to let go of something unless he has something better for us. Not better for our flesh, but better for our soul. He’s offering us eternal purpose. He's offering us more of himself to us as we learn to depend more on him. He’s offering to draw us deeper into this life giving relationship with him, one that’s “grace driven and promised based.” Ooo, I just love that. Don’t you? It’s the only thing that will ultimately satisfy us, way more than any comfort zone.

So how can I have the courage to take a match, figuratively of course, to the barriers I’ve built? What I need is a perspective change. Rather than focusing on what I may lose, the question must become what am I missing out on when I cling to my way, drag my feet, or flat out resist the Lord’s call? What is he trying to put in my hands that I can’t hold because they’re full of junk?

How about you?

For the next week, let’s pray for God to open our eyes to the reality of his good promises, his amazing grace, his perfect character, his eternal truth. As his beloved, he will never call us to anything that will harm our souls. We cannot out sacrifice God. And there’s nothing on earth that can compare to following him.

So let’s let go, lean in, and follow boldly.