Daily Readings: Psalm 125; 2 Kings 2:9-22; Acts 3:17-4:4

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 2 Kings 2:9-12, NRSV

It’s not an easy transition, going from apprentice-learner to master-teacher. We meet Elisha today at that transitional moment: he walks with Elijah in one role and returns without him in the other to face a world of expectations. The request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit reveals Elisha’s fear that his own God-given internal resources and abilities won’t be sufficient. Perhaps a double portion of his master’s spirit will guarantee that he won’t ever face a situation beyond his ability to handle?

It doesn’t take long for any of us to realize that the world is full of situations we are ill equipped to handle on our own. But we don’t have to handle them on our own; life is not a solo endeavor, and recognizing our own limitations (and those of our mentors) opens us up to trusting in the gifts and compassion of others – and in the God who created us.

When and if we learn that lesson, we are well on our way to trading know-how for wisdom.