Hello Sisters,

A couple of days ago, I was studying 2kings chapter 2, which details the story of Prophet Elijah being lifted to heaven via a flaming chariot while his servant/personal assistant— Elisha— watched astonishedly. I can only imagine what sight it would have been as Elisha suddenly saw the heavens open and beholding the magnificent exit of his master, Elijah. “What an encounter!” you would say, however, that sacred experience was not a coincidence. No, it did not just fall on Elisha’s laps. Beyond the awe of that nerve-racking moment are lessons that can be learned from Elisha.  Those lessons include but are not limited to:

• Clarity and Intentionality– Elisha knew what he wanted and was undoubtedly intentional about getting it. He was aware his Master was to be taken up into Heaven but was unsure of the exact time. Rather than play around, Elisha “hinged” himself to Elijah. Everywhere Elijah went, he was with him. Sisters, are you clear on the mind of God for you? Are you clear about what you want from God just as Blind Bartimaeus was when asked by Jesus Christ? How intentional are you about them?

• Focus– Elisha was presented with many opportunities to be discouraged but he chose to fix his gaze upon the prize—the double portion of Elijah’s anointing. He turned deaf ears to the group of prophets from Bethel and Jericho rubbing in the departure of his master, Elijah. He chose not to be distracted by naysayers. Sisters, what are we fixated upon? Who are we listening to? Who are we permitting to speak into our lives? Who have we permitted to occupy the front seat of our lives? Consistent re-evaluation of our lives is one we should not take with levity.

“The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

“The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”

2 Kings 2:3,5 (New International Version)

• Persistence and Resilience– I bet you will agree with me that Elisha spelled the words PERSISTENCE and RESILIENCE via his determination. While journeying with Elijah in this chapter, Elisha was encouraged by Elijah to stay back. They both journeyed to Bethel and Jericho and on both occasions, Elijah tried to make him stay behind but Elisha would not just take a No for an answer. Sisters, imagine what we can achieve if we could be half as persistent as Elisha? If only we would rise to be resilient even in the face of adversity? If and only if…..(I’ll leave the rest to your imagination).

“When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.”

⁴ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

2 Kings 2:1-2, 4 (New International Version)

• Not Myopic– “As far as your eyes can see,” said the Lord to Abraham as he showed him the land Abraham and his descendants would inherit in Genesis 13:14-16.  Elijah saw far. He dreamt big. Upon Elijah asking what he wanted, Elisha responded “Please let me have a double portion of your spirit and become your successor” (Vs. 9). This request was a difficult one for Elijah to grant, however, he assured Elisha of his request been granted only if he saw him while being taken up, which he did. My dear Sisters, how far can you see? How big are you dreaming? There are endless possibilities that exist in Christ. God can do above and beyond our expectations as described in Ephesians 3:20. Sisters, let us continually ask God to stretch our minds.

“After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”

Genesis 13:14-17 (New Living Translation)

“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. “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.”

2 Kings 2:9 (New International Version)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)

Sisters, there is so much we can be in Christ and the earlier we begin to walk in this consciousness as led by the Holy Spirit the better. I trust God to endue us with manifold grace to be all that he has called us to be in Jesus’ name.

You are beautiful, loved, cherished, and one of a kind. Permit no one to treat you less!

Stay Divinely Xcluzve,

Olatanye Aluko