1 Kings 19:19-21
"19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him."
In connection with the call of Elisha we would like to quote a comment on these verses from the Notes of the Rev. William Still: 'This is the call of Elisha. It has the authentic ring about it. Many young folk are languishing at their work looking for a call from God, but this man is going hard at his ploughing, the job God had given him, and while working hard (twelve yoke of oxen to manage!) Elijah came to him with God's call. Too many want into Christian work to escape the drudgery of what they call secular work in the world, not remembering that God has put them there to witness to the ungodly. In any case, no legitimate work is secular for a Christian. God is not likely to choose for His work people who have been unhappy misfits in their own. Besides, those who lay aside the burdens of duties in this world take up far heavier burdens. But it is not a heavier burden that such people are seeking, but the limelight. Worldly folk envy musicians the ovations of great crowds, but they would not envy the stern discipline and strict training that lie behind the concert platform. When we covet another's place, let us know the whole story, and we may come to the conclusion that we are better as we are. Certainly if God is calling us out it will not be to a bed of roses but to another garden, Gethsemane. 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.'