As a teenager, I always looked forward to our church’s Sunday evening meetings. They were exciting. Sunday night often meant we got to hear from missionaries and other guest speakers. They inspired me because they were all willing to leave family and friends—and at times, homes and jobs—to go off to strange and sometimes dangerous places to serve God.

Like those missionaries, Elisha left many things behind to follow God (1 KINGS 19:19-21). Before he met Elijah, we don’t know much about Elisha—except that he was a farmer. When the prophet Elijah came to him in the field where he was working, he threw his cloak over Elisha’s shoulders (the symbol of his role as prophet) and told him to follow. Wanting only to kiss his mum and dad goodbye, Elisha sacrificed his oxen, burned his farm equipment, said goodbye to his parents and followed Elijah.

Though not many of us will have to leave family and friends behind to serve God, He wants all of us to follow Him and to “live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to [us], just as God has called [us]” (1 COR. 7:17). Serving God is always exciting and challenging, no matter where we are—even if we never leave home.

By: Alyson Kieda

To Pray About . . .

Father, please give us what we need to live for You wherever You take us—near or far, at home or abroad.