By: Daniel Hughes, Executive Director / Founder
The Lord began to draw my attention to the “Spirit of Elijah,” but I didn’t have any idea what that meant. I’d heard references to it in songs and sermons, but I didn’t know if it was something I needed or what God was trying to show me. As I was sitting with the Lord thinking about all this, I asked him to reveal to me what the Spirit of Elijah is. I felt a little goofy, but I said, “Spirit of Elijah, come forth!”
Within about 2 seconds, the phone rang. Pastor Kent Mattox from Word Alive International Outreach was on the other end.
I was blown away. Usually when you ask the Lord something, you don’t get an immediate response.
Little did I know that while I was asking the Lord for revelation, Pastor Kent was in his office reading Luke 1:17:
“And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
While he was reading, Holy Spirit told him to call me. It was a powerful moment for both of us, and we knew there was something about the Spirit of Elijah that we needed to understand in order to move forward.
Pastor Kent shared his belief that God is preparing a people to bring forth the greatest harvest the Kingdom has ever seen. Romans 8:19 says, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” God is raising up his sons and daughters, bringing them to maturity so he can release them to do mighty works for his glory.
The Spirit of Elijah, in our interpretation, is the connection between spiritual mothers and fathers and those who need mentors. You can find spiritual guidance and information everywhere, but real-life relationships make all the difference.
I’d never want my son or daughter to learn something the hard way that I’ve already figured out myself. The heart of a father is this: I paid the price, I walked through the tribulation, so I can pass along what I’ve learned freely. Even in recovery, progress happens a whole lot quicker when you can learn from someone else’s mistakes. As a mentor, you want your ceiling to be your protégé’s floor.
This is the season to figure out who is God calling you to serve, connect with or mentor. God is stirring fathers and mothers in the faith to turn their hearts toward the younger generation, and vice versa. When the wisdom of the older generation joins forces with the zeal of the younger, amazing things can happen.
I pray God releases the Spirit of Elijah in your life today and awakens your heart to the spiritual parent or child he has for you.
