Daily Devotional: Run!

"Then the prophet Elisha called a member of the company of prophets and said to him, 'Gird up your loins; take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. When you arrive, look there for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi; go in and get him to leave his companions, and take him into an inner chamber. Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.” — 2 Kings 9: 1-3 NRSVUE

The more I read this story, the more I like it. I’m just as inspired as anyone else by the many accounts of bravery shown by prophets and disciples. Of good men and women who faced their own possible martyrdom with conviction of purpose and would not back down.

But this story has a different twist. Here is a servant of God, sure of his mission and purpose. He is instructed to be obedient … and then run! Split! Take off! Feet, don’t fail me now!

The young man did as he was told. He found Jehu, anointed him and then did, “open the door and flee, do not linger.”

Way to go, fella! You’re one of my heroes!

Sometimes, it’s OK to get out of harm’s way. To take care of business, then whistle a happy tune, and enjoy the rest of the day.

Prayer: Remind me, Lord, that sometimes I just need to do my small part, then get out of the way.

Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has books of Devotions available at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River and Brewed Awakenings in Saline.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: Run!