If we're in the older generation (I was forty when I was asked to preach that message mentioned in the post above), we have to be willing for the next generation to go further than we have ever gone; willing for them be more anointed than we were and to "achieve" more than was ever possible for ourselves. We have to trust that they have embraced and internalised the vision and values, that they are following God and not following us. If we hold onto the reins for too long, if we have to be the one with the anointing and the "word of the Lord," we're in danger of preventing that double anointing from ever happening - because we're not trusting them to go further and be "better" than we have ever been.
But the younger generation has responsibilities too. Like Elisha, they have to be willing to stay the course and not give up when the going gets tough. Like Elisha, they need a training season of of serving and working alongside an older leader, rather than arrogantly forging ahead to build "my ministry" or reputation. And, like Elisha, there has to be a clear sense that their allegiance is to God and not primarily to the older leader.
It's not that loyalty isn't important. As the generations link in a mentoring relationship, loyalty to each other is crucial to the fruitfulness of that relationship. Each time Elisha had the opportunity to turn back, he told his mentor "I will never leave you." But it was clear that his allegiance was first and foremost to God; that's why Elisha was preparing himself in his heart to continue with the prophetic ministry, even when Elijah was no longer around.
Elijah and Elisha's journey in 2 Kings chapter 2 passes through four locations: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan. At each step along the way, Elisha was given the opportunity to opt out of the onward journey, but he chose to continue. That's why he was still around when the time came to receive the double portion of his mentor's anointing.
Over the next couple of days, I'd like to consider the symbolic significance of those four places where Elisha could have chosen to give up instead of persevering, and look at some of the key milestones we need to pass on our journey to inheriting the double anointing. Watch this space.
