(2 Kings Chapter 2)

Elisha knew the time was coming for his master to leave. He dared not leave his side. He would not be robbed of one second spent with him. He was committed entirely to him.

I would call him, loyal.

His request for a double portion was courageous and wise. He knew the power of God was necessary for him to walk in his calling.

He had watched and gleaned much from his mentor. Elijah was teaching even when he didn’t know it. Elisha was like a sponge soaking up every morsel of wisdom from his soon to leave master.

Then the moment came when the Lord took up Elijah and there, left behind, was Elisha.

The tearing of his clothes shows his grief which perhaps we fail to see often in these passages.

We love the idea of the double portion and the picking up of the mantle of authority but we often miss the pained grief in such a transitional time in one’s life.

It is very normal for grief to accompany a next-level forward God move.

Advancement, as exciting as it can be, often means leaving familiar faces and familiar places. Starting over is not easy for most and a bit of pain seems to mingle in with bits of exhilarating joy at the new thing God brings.

Like Paul, you’ll long for “home.” A place in the past that was near and dear to your heart. But following Jesus means leaving it and returning only if the Holy Spirit permits.

Some of Christ’s bravest soldiers pick the mantle up through a teary-eyed gaze. When receiving a new thing there is a simultaneous blowing away of an old thing…or two…or three.

An honest Saint will tell you of this walk with Christ in terms like “to lose is to gain.”

I bet every ounce of tear-dropped strength of all the grief and pain was driven down like a hammer as Elisha struck the water, “Where is the God of Elijah?”

But the faithful God that He is divides the water beckoning Elisha to “cross over.”

So he did.

Do not mistake the reality of what was to not enter into the human heart. You, and I, will certainly feel the sting of the advancement of the Kingdom, personally.

But the test of the true and prepared warrior of Christ will be whether you can tear your clothes, bend low to grab the mantle, and…cross…over…

All at the same time.