Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 13-17
Always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:7
George Sheffer died of a heart attack at age seventy. He had been with Young Life since its beginning in the early forties and had invested himself in people all over the world. There were more than a thousand people at his memorial service.
During the last four years of George’s life, he spent a lot of time in Africa, sharing his vision of youth ministry with men and women in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi. He had just returned from Africa the night he went home to be with the Lord. During his final years, George drew experiences from the treasure house of a lifetime of sharing Christ with others. He adapted his ministry and remained useful to the Lord right up to the end.
In 2 Kings 13, we see Elisha at a turning point. He has fallen ill, and the last part of his prophetic service is hidden from us. After sixty years as a prophet, he is no longer a prominent figure on the stage of Israel. Was he less useful to God? Of course not. But his ministry had changed. In his younger days, Elisha was out front, making a tremendous impact on the society around him. In his latter days, it seems he gave himself to the young men in the schools of the prophets, to prepare them for their service for God.
If you are a young person just getting started in your work for Christ, focus on learning what God has to teach you. As time goes on, give yourself to putting into practice what God has taught you. In your declining years, spend time teaching the next generation what you have learned.
Prayer
Lord, as my circumstances change, help me to adapt and change my focus so that I can stay useful to You. Amen.
To Ponder
What are some ways a person can serve the Lord in any season of life?
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