Called to More Than You Expected

By Dean Collins

When you think you are done, you might not be done. And when you think you want that new job, it might require more than you think. In the next few weeks, I am launching a new leadership podcast that is all about a leader’s legacy and the transitions that are required. (Stay tuned for the coming release date!)

First Kings 19:19-21 is rich with content about transitions. The first one that is relevant in chapter 19 is the transition of Elijah from depressed and discouraged to discovering that God was not finished with him yet. After Elijah was at rock bottom, he received new assignments from the Lord:

 “And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.” (1 Kings 19:15-16)

Don’t ever think that your disappointment, failures, or fatigue suggests that God can’t use you. We are called to serve until we take our last breath on this side of eternity. And every indication in scripture is that we will be involved in the flourishing activities waiting for us when heaven and earth come together and are fully restored!

There isn’t an indication in Kings that Elisha was positioning himself for his new role. Yes, sometimes protégés become successors but not always. In my 40 years of leadership experience, I have seen many cases where the ones who wanted the big assignment the most wanted it for the wrong reasons and seldom understood the sacrifices involved in those long-desired roles. 

In the selection of senior leaders in business and in the church, I have seen many cases where a vice president was just sure they should be the next president. However, just because a person is successful and dynamic in one role doesn’t mean they should be moved to a role that is higher or broader than their current assignment. Many churches and businesses do the wise thing and expand, or even require that internal candidates be considered for leadership roles.  

In the case of my transition from president of Point University to my semi-retired role as chancellor, many thought that my then chief of staff, Stacy Bartlett, would simply be given the job. After all, she had worked with me in various roles for nearly 20 years and had a PhD in higher education. But the trustees were very wise and insisted on a national search led by a third party to conduct a process that was rigorous and, in the end, demonstrated that Dr. Bartlett was indeed the right person.

When Elijah placed his cloak around Elisha, it indicated not that Elijah had chosen his successor but rather that God had. Elisha realized what had just happened and left his oxen and ran after Elijah, telling him that he would go and kiss his parents and then follow him. There is some debate among scholars as to the meaning of Elijah’s response when he says, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” Some think Elijah was saying that if you are focused on family, then maybe you are the wrong guy and that Elisha should go back to his oxen and keep plowing.

Others see Elijah as indicating that it was fine to go and kiss your parents as an act of honoring them before this shift in roles. I can see both possibilities, but it is also possible that it was both/and and not either/or. What is clear is that when Elisha returned to his oxen, he sacrificed them all and gave the meat to the people to eat. You might say he burned the bridges behind him and fully committed to his new assignment. 

Too often I have seen leadership failure because the person who wanted the bigger title or role thought they could keep doing much of what they were doing while taking on broader responsibilities. This seldom works. Senior roles demand different things and rarely allow one to continue broadly doing what they used to do.

God may or may not have a newer or bigger title for you. In fact, I am not sure there is one greater than when he calls us his own. As children of the king, we must daily seek to discover how God wants to use us in the service of others. When we submit to his will, we will discover that life will be filled with great satisfaction as we partner with the divine in extending his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Father, thank you for the privilege of participating with you in bringing renewal and restoration of all that is broken. Fill us with your Spirit and use us as you will today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV

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