Exploring Ministry

This summer I have the opportunity to participate in the Ministry Inquiry Program  at EMU. For this internship I will be working at Highland Retreat as a staff chaplain and Christian nurture coordinator. When applying for the internship, I was unsure how qualified I was for the role, but nonetheless excited to learn and grow in a new way. By taking the step to apply for the job, I was in my own little way taking a leap of faith.

I recently came across a story in 2 Kings 2 that talks about the start of Elisha's ministry. In the story, Elisha is traveling with Elijah before he is taken into heaven. As they continue on their journey, three times Elijah tells Elisha to stay somewhere because the Lord called Elijah to go. But each time Elisha replies by saying "As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!". When the time comes, Elijah ask what he can do for Elisha before he is taken away, and Elisha replies "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor" (vs.9). And from this place Elisha picks up Elijah's cloak when he ascends into heaven in his chariot of fire, beginning his own ministry from what he learned from Elijah.

SO why did I just share that whole story? Well- in the same way that Elisha continued to follow his teacher, I too have followed in the ways of  leaders around me. Much of my life I have been a listener, which is good and which I plan on continuing. But how strong is ones faith if they never have the chance to practice what they have learned? Now is my chance to develop what I have learned and dig deep into the challenge, as we are all called to do!

My challenge for us all is how are we choosing to practice what we have learned for the benefit of spreading God's kingdom? Are living out the lives God has planned for us?