“Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah” (1 Kings 19:20).
There is a man in my life who I consider a “mentor.” He came into my life during a crisis period and helped me understand and cope with my situation. I learned a great deal from him. I rarely spent more than a few hours with him at any one time. I did not learn from him through a formal arrangement. I mostly “caught” what I learned. There was never a time when he took me through a Bible study. He never sent me articles or things to read. I just learned and grew by being around him. This is what I meant by catching the faith of this mentor. Much of the time spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere and people that surround us, not through intellectual reasoning and formal Bible studies.
When Elijah handpicked Elisha as his successor, Elisha immediately killed his twelve set of oxen and ran after Elijah just to be with him. No doubt he knew what a great privilege it was to be selected by the great prophet. However, it was not enough for Elisha to be handpicked. He also wanted a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. It appears that God answered his prayer.
If you want to grow in your Christian life, ask God to put someone in your life who is far ahead of you spiritually and then, simply spend time with them. As you walk alongside them, as you informally just talk to them you will begin to catch what they have. You will begin to appreciate and receive some of that special anointing that is on their lives. And that anointing will mix perfectly with your unique gifts and talents and be a blessing to your life as you live for the Lord. Then at some point in your future, there may be someone who will tag along with you to “catch” what you have.
We need more people who are living the life of Elijah. Also we are in desperate need of more people who are willing to run after their “Elijahs.”