God's Air Force One

Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings: 2:8-11.

While reading and contemplating this text, the thought occurred to me that as Christians, it seems we ought to be able to be like the prophet Elijah, whose name by the way, mean “Yah is my God.” I say this because I think we ought to have something that other people desire. I am not talking about material possessions because nowhere in Scripture does it suggest that Elijah was rich in material things. In fact, we learn that he was regarded as a wilderness dweller. His simple way of life however, did not prevent him from moving in sophisticated circles, and he had repeated opportunities to address the king. His devotion to God made him the strong spokesperson that he was on Mount Carmel. His humanity is evidenced in his flight from the vindictive Jezebel, when she sent him the message that she would take his life. Yet, it is the combination of zealous bravery and human failure that gives added weight to the power of prayer exemplified in this man of God:

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18.

Elisha, whose name means, “God is salvation,” was a prophet and successor of Elijah. As long as Elijah’s ministry continued, Elisha served him, reminiscent of Joshua’s assistance to Moses. Just before Elijah was caught up to heaven, the two prophets went from Gilgal to Bethel and Jericho. It was here that Elijah tested the younger prophet by requesting he stay where they were as he traveled on, but Elisha committed that he would not leave his master.

At Bethel and Jericho the sons of the prophets asked Elisha if he knew that the Lord would take Elijah away from him that day; Elisha knew it well. The two men proceeded to the Jordan, which they crossed by a miraculous parting of the waters. Beyond the river, Elijah asked what Elisha wanted as a favor from him. Elisha requested a double portion of the spirit of the older prophet; Elijah answered that this would be granted on the condition that Elisha saw him as he was being taken from him. While they walked and conversed, they were separated by a chariot of fire and horses of fire; Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind as Elisha watched.

As I indicated earlier, I think as believers and followers of Christ, we ought to have something that other people want. Elijah had something that Elisha wanted, his spirit. We should carry out our Christian responsibilities and live our Christian lives in such a way that whatever we are and whatever our spiritual possessions, somebody wants to be like us and we ought to live in such a way that we can leave something behind worth remembering. We should not be among the thousands of folks in the cemeteries who lived and died without making any impression upon anybody. No one hated them and no one loved them. They are not missed because no one ever knew they existed. They touched no one's life in any memorable way. What a sad commentary on a person’s life.

When I have walked the last mile of my life, I want people to remember more than my mouth. I want people to be able to recall, that in sprite of the pains and difficulties and obstacles that were often thrown in her way, she walked in faith and regardless of opposition, never relinquished her divine call to “feed my sheep.”

Faithfulness has nothing to do with degrees behind our names, friends we have, roles we play, but it does have to do with what we do with the assignment God has given us while we are here to perform it. In the time God has allotted to us, we can do something meaningful and leave something behind that will outlast our children and grandchildren.

The days ahead, and I regret painting a dismal picture, but I believe I am being realistic. The days ahead are going to be crucial. We are going to have to learn to get along as a human race, because for some reason it seems that we are hostile towards our own humankind. In the days ahead we are going to have to get away so we can get our faculties together. We are going to have to get away and think a while, meditate a while and get our strategy together. Moses did it; as a matter of fact Jesus did it. Every now and then Jesus would get away from the maddening crowd to some mountain where He could talk to His Father. He did it in Gethsemane when enemies were hot on His trail; but He told His disciples to wait while He went on a little further.

We have a need to get away, where the air is not polluted, where we can think and pull ourselves together. The old folks said it in song:

There are times I'd like to be

All alone with Christ my Lord,

I can tell Him of my troubles all alone.

Do you not feel that way sometimes? You just want to get away somewhere. David said, if I had the wings of a dove, I would fly away to some other dimension to be at rest.

I do not think I will ever forget Hubert Humphrey. I liked him. He was called the “Happy Warrior.” I had great respect for him and grieved in spirit as the house that he lived in became cancer infected and began to deteriorate. In the picture shown, he had lost considerable weight. I watched as that once robust body gave way to frailty and that smile that he seemed to always wear was transfixed into a pensive mood.

I thought about the many plans and ideas he had, one of which was to become president; a destiny not to be his. But one day, President Carter invited him aboard Air Force One. He told Humphrey, I know you are burdened down and frustrated but I am going to send my Iron Chariot to pick you up.

Humphrey got on the plane grinning from ear to ear. Air Force One; all that luxury; the most sophisticated of electronic gadgetry; service at the push of a button; plush carpeting; unimaginable conveniences. Oh the senator from Minnesota was happy! For a brief moment in time, the happy warrior was back. I will never forget the impression this sick senator left upon my heart and soul.

Your know beloveds, as I was thinking about Humphrey and Air Force One being a special plane, the Spirit spoke to my soul saying, “Guess what Saundra, God has one of those. The sovereign Ruler of the world, He who sits high and looks low, He who has the whole world in His hands, the Governor of the universe, He has an Air Force One. As a matter of fact, while Elijah and Elisha were standing there, God’s Air Force One swept down with fire all around and old man Elijah got on board.”

God has an Air Force One. We may not ride in Obama’s Air Force One, we may not, like Humphrey, receive an invitation. But the God in whom we serve also has an Air Force One. Did you know that?

As a matter of fact, every Sunday when I wake up with my mind stayed on the Man, I can get away from the maddening crown. The minute I walk into the church and feel the spirit of His presence all over me, I know that I have gotten safely on board. When I hear the organ playing, it’s an indication to me to tighten up my seat belt; Air Force One is getting ready to take off.

After the craft is air-borne, the meal is served:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The desert is served”

Hear the blessed grave; Savior calling the oppressed,

O ye heavy laden, come to Me and rest.

Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear,

Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care.”

All glory to God! Isn’t it Good News to know that after dealing all week long with the mad, mad, world; after dealing with ignorance and stupidity; after dealing with negaholics and pettiholics we can climb aboard God’s Air Force One to get away for a while and find refreshing of soul that will take us through the next week?

Come aboard, God’s Air Force One is preparing to take off!