Learning to Let Go

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

February 22^nd 2008

Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller

“Learning to Let Go”

2 Kings 2:1-13

Whether we were physically present at the Presidential Inauguration or not, and no matter your political persuasion, the way in which power is transferred is almost always an impressive ritual. And while this year much was made about each detail and who was included and in what capacity, in the ritual. No matter what, the event is newsworthy. But despite the ritual, Barak Obama because President by law, at noon, before he was officially sworn in. But, without the ritual somehow it just doesn’t feel right. In fact, because he made a mistake in his first swearing-in of a President, Chief Justice John Roberts left some people wondering if Barack Obama was really the President. In an attempt to end the speculation the White House called the Chief Justice just to cover all the bases. The only record of this event is one picture, much to the consternation of the White House press corps. While it seemed a lot like sour grapes for not being included, the complaints may have been rooted in the human need for the appropriate pomp and circumstance. “If they did not follow the proper and public ritual, surely this was not a real transfer of power.” There is something important about the proper ritual and protocol being followed. However, the transfer of power in this morning’s scripture is quite a failure along those lines. But despite lacking all the pomp and circumstance, it is a transfer of power of greater implication.

This transfer of power from Elijah to Elisha is not only a contrast to our recent inauguration but even more so to the Royal power in ancient Israel. Throughout the book of Kings, Elijah has been a living contrast between Torah faithfulness and Royal practice. Though they do not take center stage the company of prophets, which Elijah and Elisha encounter in each city, are also an ongoing challenge to royal authority. The order of prophets was faithful to Torah and followed Elijah. They operated outside the control of royal power structures. In other words, they were not prophets on the payroll. Instead they were a living witness for God.

The transfer of authority from one prophet to the other even occurs outside of the political boundaries. At the end of his farewell tour Elijah crosses the Jordan ignoring the political boundary. The contrast continues because there was also a royal succession occurring at the same time. Actually, the scene occurs after the passing of one king but before the new king ascends to power. God’s power and God’s prophets are not even bound by Royal time.

Even the succession of leadership breaks with convention. In royal time the King picks his successor, most often his first born son. However, when asked by Elisha to succeed him Elijah simply responds; if it is God’s will then it will happen and if not, so be it. By conventional standards it can seem reckless for one leader not to be concerned with the succession of power. But Elijah is content to trust that God can be trusted. But the last and most extraordinary contrast is that the transfer of power occurs outside the view of anyone. No one, not even the company of prophets sees what happens. Without a photo can you imagine the complaining of the royal press corps?! Throughout the scene we are given the message that God is going to work in the most unexpected ways.

This is something the Elijah obviously understands. On his farewell tour going from city to city he does not lobby for his followers to give their loyalty to Elisha. Elijah makes no attempt to ensure his legacy or establish control once he is no longer in power. Elijah seems to understand that any attempt along those lines shows a lack of trust in the ways of God. Elijah trusts God enough to let go of preconceived notions of what God ought to do. In other words, God is still faithful and can be trusted. It is a trust built upon deep knowledge of God’s actions.

It is on this point that we, as people of faith, have the most difficulty. In refusing to let go we end up domesticating God. It is not a conscience act but one that occurs as a result of familiarity and location. There is nothing wrong with familiarity. We should have an intimate knowledge of God and how God works. We must remember that God most often acts in places like deserts and exile and even outside the bounds of conventional or royal boundaries. But having this knowledge without a willingness to venture into unfamiliar locations or risk trusting God’s strange ways puts us at risk of domesticating God. Knowledge that God works in the desert places of life inside the walls of an established denomination or church setting is just too risky. However, when we do this, and we all do – myself included – we end up unable and even unwilling to trust God in the passing of the mantle.

While Elisha receives the mantle of Elijah he does not receive it from Elijah, instead it comes from God. It shows Elijah’s faithfulness to the very end. He gives the greatest gift of all. Elijah is a witness to faithfulness right to the very end of his life. As Presbyterians we have often been accused of not being good at passing the mantle, too much process and not enough trusting the spirit. But I believe that our process at its best is quite faithful, if we allow it. We do things by committee, when people of differing views and understandings come together to pray and discern the workings of the spirit in our time and place. Unlike non-profit organizations and business, the church’s goal is not about completing our prepared tasks but instead to seek God’s will, which is not always an easy thing. It requires trust and patience and most importantly a willingness to let go when we are no longer in power. The best gift we can give to one another is the demand that our process – our life together be built upon being attune to the work of the spirit. God is going to choose whom God will choose to serve and to lead. Our faithfulness depends on our ability to remind each other that the outcome may just surprise us. But, no matter what may come, God can still be trusted. Amen? Amen.