Just Give Me the Pill, Doc

Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 2 Kings 2:9

When I first meet with patients in addiction medicine, I’ll ask them to tell me their story. Then I ask what they’re hoping I can do for them. It’s a revealing question, telling me a lot about their chances of recovery. If they say they’re looking for advice on how to find recovery, and if they indicate that they’re willing to do whatever it takes to find it, then I’m hopeful for them. If, however, they indicate that they really don’t want to put much work into recovery, and if they simply want the prescription – Just give me the pill, doc – then I’m less hopeful for them. I do have prescriptions that can help with cravings. And if a patient is willing to work hard for it, those medications can be helpful and recovery is achievable. If, however, a patient’s sole plan lies in taking another pill, then they’re probably not going to do well.

What are you hoping I can do for you? This is the question Elijah put to his protégé, Elisha, in today’s passage. In the story, Elijah knew he was leaving this Earth, but before he went, he asked what Elisha wanted from him. Elisha’s answer told a lot about him. Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. Most commentaries that I read on this said that Elisha wasn’t asking to be twice as powerful as Elijah, but that he was asking to inherit Elijah’s blessing as his firstborn son. In their culture, the firstborn son inherited a double portion. So, Elisha was asking to be Elijah’s spiritual successor, inheriting his prophetic authority, power, and divine commission. Elisha could have asked for some blessing that made his life easier. Instead, though, he saw how Elijah followed God and how God used Elijah, and he wanted that. If this was a test, Elisha passed, proving that he desired to seek and serve God as Elijah had.

So, what do my prayers say about me? When God asks what I’m hoping he can do for me, do I go to him with an open mind? Show me your will, God. I want to follow you. Or do I go to God with my wants and needs, asking him to fulfill my will? My answer says a lot about me. If I go to God, daily seeking his will above mine, I’m going to do well. If, however, I daily go to God, trying to get my way, then I’ll likely be frustrated, disappointed, and miserable. What are you hoping I can do for you? My answer says a lot about me.