Preparing for Double Promotions: Lessons from Elisha, Receiver of Double Portion

They were fishermen doing their jobs. They were men of waters, earning their incomes, diligently, on the waters of Galilee. On this day, a Mentor was looking for mentees, for a grand mission, He was pursuing. Centuries earlier, something similar happened at a smaller scale: a young man was in the field, tending his oxen, when a mentor called him.

In both cases, the men had qualified themselves before they were discovered, right on their jobs.  Yes, the best time to audition for a job is when there is no job. For the disciples and Elisha,  we could learn lessons on mentoring, coaching and discipleship. The disciples left and followed Christ on a Call to Mission, paying severe personal prices, but with unparalleled ecumenical ecclesiastical blessing. For Elisha, he closed his farming business, left his personal ambitions, and followed Elijah.

And as the training began, Elisha was never far from Elijah, working diligently, and became qualified for a double portion of anointing: ‘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.’ Elisha had impressed with dedication, excellence and results – and his boss knew he was ready for a double promotion. Centuries later, the disciples qualified by their commitment and grace, received on the day of Pentecost an unbounded promotion, with the Holy Spirit.

Good People, in politics, in business, and indeed everything, the system rewards those who commit absolutely to major calls, when they’re recruited, without looking back. Politicians elevate trusted aides who can wait hours at midnight as their bosses plot political next moves, CEOs handpick trusted subordinates, and Managing Partners send consultants with the mindset of whatever-it-takes to get the job done to major clients.

Check Obama, and those he brought to White House; some had worked with him for years. Check that new bank CEO, those he recruited; most have worked with him for years. Check that new president, the same people. You call it recycling. Yes, but that is the system: the mentors do not pursue the aides and proteges, the latter duo relentlessly push, and most times, they get double portions, if they excel based on the standards the bosses have set. Indeed, for that double promotion in our careers, we must deliver results, during the mentoring and preparation phase. 

Build a reputation of excellence before your supervisors, and be rewarded with a “double promotion”. Happy Sunday.

2 Kings 6:1-7 KJV

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

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