Thirsting After God

There are times when those around me, in Christendom and the business world, are basking in great success while we toil away day after day, month after month, year after year in what seems like relative obscurity. There are times when I wonder if there is any lasting impact from our efforts. If it sounds like I’m a little jealous of others success, I am. Not green with envy kind of jealous, but a deep reflection on what real difference we are making as we walk the path He has laid before us. When I start to feel this way, the Lord is quick to show me the influence we’ve had in both worlds.

In ministry – Yesterday my wife set up a new address for our business, ministry and personal correspondence at a local mailbox company. While there, she ran across a friend whom she had not seen in a while. As the old friends greeted and conversed, her friend related that she has read many of my devotionals and how they had significant impact on her.

In business – The day before yesterday I found out a competitor had won a contract on an event we had been contacted about a few months ago. At first I was ticked that we did not get the opportunity to bid on the job. In that moment the Lord spoke 2 things to me. One, if I wanted you to have that job, you would have it and two, that company would not exist had it not been for your combined efforts with a good friend when you were the first to stream drag racing over 11 years ago.

Each of us is called to a specific task, some to the pulpit, some to the home and others to the business world. Where ever He has you working remember Paul’s words to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col 3:23-24

There are days the world will beat you down and make you feel like you are wasting your time. On those days you must press in to a deeper relationship with our Father and allow Him to show you your worth. If you look to the world as your standard, you will never measure up.

Blessings

Thirsting After God
by Os Hillman

…”Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit”…. – 2 Kings 2:9

The first requirement to move in greater power and authority in God is to hunger for it. Yet even this hunger is born from God. Elisha hungered after God. Elisha saw many miracles as Elijah’s servant. But he wanted more. He wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. When he asked Elijah for this, the prophet responded, “You have asked a difficult thing.” It wasn’t because it couldn’t be granted. Elijah knew that with great anointing came a great weight of responsibility and difficulty.

Second, humility comes before honor. Elisha was known as the “servant of Elijah.” How would you like to be known as “the servant of John”? Your name is not even mentioned. This was the preparation of Elisha. It has been the preparation of many men of God. Consider Joseph, the servant of Pharaoh. Consider David, the servant of Saul.

Third, Elisha committed himself totally to his calling. The Scripture says when Elisha was called to join Elijah, the younger man left his farm business completely. He slaughtered his oxen and had a great feast for the community. It was all or nothing. He could not fall back on his farm trade if his new venture didn’t work. This demonstrates Elisha’s pioneer spirit in stepping out, not knowing what was ahead.

Do you want greater anointing in God? “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” (Jer. 29:13-14a). Begin thirsting for God’s anointing in your heart today. This is the starting place.