Take A Shot - Elijah And Elisha

When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

2 Kings 2:9

By the time his illustrious twenty-one-year National Hockey League career ended in 1999, Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” owned nearly every offensive record in the books, in both the regular season and in the playoffs.

Gretzky wasn’t the biggest, strongest, or fastest to ever lace up skates, but he was arguably the smartest. One time, he shared part of what made him the greatest offensive player in the game. “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take,” he said.

Success in life means being willing to take your own shots when they are there for the taking.

The prophet-in-training Elisha achieved greatness because he had the faith to ask for a blessing when he had the opportunity. Three times Elisha’s predecessor and mentor, Elijah, told him to stay behind and not follow him any further, and all three times Elisha answered, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” (2 Kings 2:2-6).

Elisha wanted something, and when Elijah gave him the opportunity to ask for it, he didn’t shy away. After the two men crossed the Jordan River together for the last time, Elijah asked his young protégé what he wanted. Elisha didn’t hesitate: “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor” (2 Kings 2:9).

Elijah had worked tirelessly to bring Israel back to God, and he knew better than anyone what Elisha was asking for—and why he would need a double portion of his spirit to accomplish it. As God took Elijah up into heaven, Elisha received exactly what he had requested.

When you feel the need for God’s empowerment, take your shot and ask for it in faith. That’s a shot you’ll never miss because God promises to give you what you need 100 percent of the time when you ask.