Calling Players Up

Calling Players Up

Good point guards, forwards, and quarterbacks know how to raise up the teammates around them. They don’t hesitate to lead their teams on the court or the field. Challenging a young athlete in one of these positions to play this way can be difficult. When young, they are usually the most talented kids on the team. As a result, they have a lot of experience scoring.

As they get older, not only are these players expected to score but they are also expected to lead their teams. There is a pressure to know each individual’s responsibility on every play, and to challenge their teammates to step up when the moment is upon them. Though there is pressure to perform, these players don’t always recognize their added responsibilities. A good coach will call it out of them, and his or her relationship with the players will determine how well that player responds and steps into the role.

In Israel, Elisha served Elijah the prophet for many years. He was the sharath (pronounced shaw-roth), a Hebrew term that indicates that Elisha was the special assistant to a very important person. Elijah, the prophet, cultivated a strong relationship to Elisha, his young aide, and it made the young man want to step into Elijah’s role when the prophet’s ministry for Israel was over.

As Elijah’s final moments on earth approached, he asked Elisha to stay put as he walked on. This happened three times, and all three times, here is how Elisha replied: “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:4, ESV).

Elisha loved Elijah. He served Elijah well, and when it was his time, he went on to have a very effective ministry because he had the influence of Elijah in his life. Remember, strong relationships yield strong impact. If you call someone up, be there to invest in them so that they see the way to go.

As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.

2 Kings 2:4, ESV