“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, NKJV)

Elijah had felt that he was the only prophet of the LORD who was left, and now they were trying to kill him! The truth was that God had reserved 7,000 who had not bowed down to Baal. But Elijah also needed help against the wickedness that Ahab and Jezebel had brought into the land of Israel. So God told Elijah to anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as a prophet to take Elijah’s place. God would use Hazael, Jehu and Elisha to judge the house of Ahab.

Elijah had an interesting way of calling Elisha into the ministry. Elijah simply threw his mantle upon him. Elisha understood the gesture, for he immediately left the oxen he was plowing with and ran after Elijah.

I believe we each have a calling from God. A person’s highest calling isn’t necessarily to go into the ministry. It is to faithfully serve God with the gifts He has given you in the calling for which He has chosen you.

Jesus told His disciples:

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16, NKJV)

This verse has been a great encouragement to me over the years when I have questioned my calling or when others have told me what they think I should be doing. Whatever we do, we should know that the Lord has thrown His “mantle” upon us. He has crowned us with His grace and power to do what He has called us to do. Can you say for certain that what you are doing you are doing by the will of Christ? If so, then this is your calling, and you should thank God for it, letting nothing dissuade you from it.

When Elisha followed Elijah, he sacrificed his oxen and burned his plow to cook the meat. Now there was no turning back!