Be bold, take seconds, make a way 

(II Kings 2.5-14) 

What's your approach to life - slow, fast, finesse, leverage, raw power...? Elisha's approach was forceful, using decisive and powerful moves to establish his position - and he wanted twice as much!

This isn't a pattern for everyone. God also uses subtle beauty such as Esther; shrewd and coy such as Abigail; smart and political such as Daniel; teary and victimized such as Jeremiah; or even intellectual and overwhelmingly self-confident such as the Apostle Paul.

Basically, all this to say that God can use any personality type - if individuals in the Bible can be used as any predictor of what God might do with us today.

It just happens that I have been compared with a 'bull in a china shop' more than once. I do understand the Elijah's and Elisha's of the world. They (understanding my own placement in that ubiquitous 'they') really don't make good pastors.

In fact, polite and poised people tend to feel rather uncomfortable around 'them' because 'they' are difficult to make into silk purses.

But if you need something done or some situation moved off of dead center...call for one of 'them.'

An 'Elisha' won't show up with a kidskin attaché and a strategic plan...he'll show up with a bull-dozer and a box of dynamite.

He doesn't tend to coddle people and nurture the sensitive side of folks - he'll probably be caustic and impatient.

He will be the ecclesiastical version of that sit-com guy on television who believed everything was better with 'more power.'

What happens with an 'Elisha?' Lots of sensitive and polished folks will be greatly offended - but the waters will part, axe-heads will float, bottom-lines will become healthy, jobs will get done, justice will be established, kids will either respect their elders or get eaten by bears...bulls will either plow or get eaten, and the local assemblage of clergy (school of the prophets) will follow along chiding or taunting.

Smooth, poised, able to win friends and influence people? Not Elisha. Willing to charge hell with a garden hose and stand between the devil and the deep blue sea? Yes, that's Elisha!

The question isn't, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" but, rather, "Where are the Elisha's and Elijah's of the Lord God?"

It's time to attack the gates of hell.