I Can't Go Back

This powerful message confronts us with a truth many of us resist: following God isn't just about moving forward—it's about burning the bridges behind us. Drawing from 1 Kings 19:19-21, we encounter Elisha's radical response when Elijah's mantle falls upon him. Here's a man who doesn't just leave his field; he destroys his plow and slaughters his oxen, removing every possibility of return. This isn't impulsive emotion—it's strategic obedience. The sermon challenges us to examine what we're still keeping as backup plans, those 'just in case' options that dilute our commitment to God's calling. Are we truly all in, or are we hedging our bets? The message pierces through our comfort zones, revealing that as long as going back feels possible, obedience never feels urgent. Access weakens our resolve. Those old phone numbers we keep, those habits we justify, those relationships we maintain 'just to check in'—they're not harmless; they're anchors holding us in place. God doesn't just call us to new places; He removes our ability to return to old ones. When doors close behind us, it's not rejection—it's direction. This year demands a made-up mind, because transformation requires the death of what was comfortable, familiar, and safe.