Day 25 — Elisha Leaves the Plow

“So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.”

— 1 Kings 19:21 (BSB)

Remember Elijah under the broom tree, back in Week 1? After God fed him and let him rest, God gave him a new job: to find a young man named Elisha, who would learn from him and one day take his place.

Elijah found Elisha plowing a field with a big team of oxen. Elijah walked up and threw his cloak around Elisha’s shoulders. That was a sign: God has chosen you. Come with me.

Elisha understood. He asked if he could first say goodbye to his parents. And then he did something amazing. He took his own oxen, killed them, burned his plow to cook the meat, and threw a big feast for the people.

Why would he do that? Because he was making a clean break. He wasn’t going back to farming. He was all in. “Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.”

For years, Elisha stayed with Elijah. He served him. He watched how Elijah prayed, how he spoke God’s Word, how he stood up to wicked kings. He learned by being close to an older man who walked with God.

That’s what a mentor is: an older, wiser man who helps a younger man grow. He teaches you, shows you, encourages you, corrects you and prays for you. And you learn from him by spending time with him, watching him and serving alongside him.

Every guy needs mentors. Maybe your dad is one. Maybe a grandpa, an uncle, a coach, a youth leader, a pastor, or an older guy at church.

Here’s how to learn from a mentor:

• Spend time with him. Help him with a project. Go to breakfast. Ask to tag along.
• Watch how he lives. How does he treat his family? How does he handle problems? How does he pray?
• Ask questions. “How did you become a Christian?” “What’s the hardest thing you’ve been through?” “What would you do in my situation?”
• Serve him. Elisha served Elijah. Offer to help.
• Listen, even when his advice isn’t what you want to hear.

Think about it: Who is an older man in your life who walks with God? What could you learn from him?

Try this: Ask an older man you respect if you can help him with something this week, or go out for breakfast. Ask him one question about following Jesus.

Dear God, thank You for Elisha, who left everything to follow and serve Elijah. Give me a mentor, a man who walks with You and can help me grow. Help me be humble, watch, listen and learn from him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.