Sunday, June 30, 2013: 2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14; 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21; Luke 9:51-62

“I have decided to follow Jesus.” These words begin a well-known hymn, but for me they will always be about Gordon and Mary Cosby, cofounders of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, D.C. Gordon’s death on March 20, 2013, was not unexpected. He was 95 and had become frail. Knowing that he was dying, Gordon used the time to comfort coworkers, friends and neighbors. He said that dying was the next great adventure and he was ready for it.

Gordon decided to follow Jesus over and over again every day. Because of that decision, many people were able to articulate their own calls better after visiting with him. Many others found ways to live their vocations in the ministries of COS. Their newsletter Callings published an issue that listed 37 ministries that have grown from COS mission groups. They have names like Jubilee Jobs, Samaritan Inns, the Potter’s House, Joseph’s House, Sarah’s Circle, Manna, Inc., Dayspring Retreat Center, Sign of Jonah. What do you suppose they were reading in that church?

After the wind, earthquake, fire and the sound of silence on Mount Horeb, Elijah stood at the mouth of the cave to listen for the voice of the Lord God of Hosts. To say that he had experienced prophetic burnout would be putting it mildly. God commanded him, “And you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.”