II Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

I accepted Christ as Savior when I was 12 years old, just about to start high school. When I became a teenager it seemed as if every youth leader or pastor of the organizations I belonged to were emphasizing the need to “know God’s plan for your life.” What an awesome task to assign to a child! They would say you need to pray and pray some more. In my imagination I thought I was going to hear a voice in response telling me exactly what I should be doing for the rest of my life. That day never came. Essentially I completed high school and joined the workforce as a clerk/stenographer. All the final exams were crafted in England so the certificates were accepted internationally. Higher education was pursued throughout my work life. Thankfully, through it all my relationship with God was always real and sustaining. Over the years I have learned that God’s plan for my life is simply to know him and Christ more fully every day. (John 17:3 refers).

Your vocation or job pursuits do not exclude a relationship with God but rather are enriched by it because your life is hid with Christ in God and that becomes the source of your empowerment. Every season of life will bring new challenges and in every one of them you will have choices to make. As Elisha was called to drop everything, so to speak, and take over Elijah’s ministry, God may require you to shed some things or passions or to make detours you had not planned, but always he will be with you as you obey.

“It takes the fire of God to consume away the dross, the things of earth; to lift you up and separate you from the plain, the ordinary, and the corrupt. Separation from earth is a cleansing process – all the things which consume your thoughts, attention, and energy and tend to keep people from serving the Lord God in spirit and in truth. It is God only who can clarify your purpose on the earth and lead you to exploits for God. As Elisha received the mantle from Elijah so God chooses people to carry on his work.”