ACE #347: Standing in a Shadow

Recently, I watched a presentation by Bishop T.D. Jakes on "Walking in the Shadow of Greatness."  He talks about his dear friend, Holloway Gray, who has stood behind him, almost silently, for years while Bishop Jakes has walked in his destiny.  Bishop Jakes likens the relationship to that of Elijah and Elisha.  He discusses that many people want the glory, but not the responsibility that comes with standing in the shadow of greatness.  He makes an important point that there's grace in being someone else's armor bearer!

It reminded me that there are always people who stand, walk, and work behind individuals to assist them in reaching their dreams.  But there's only so long that someone can stand in someone else's shadow...until it's time to step up. It's easy to get comfortable there.  But you can't stay there.  It's time to emerge and do the "thing" you were called to do at the next level. It's okay to step out and into your own destiny.

"You have to be great to stand in the shadow of greatness." ~ T.D. Jakes

"Walking in the Shadow of Greatness"
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=in+the+shadow+of+greatness&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=4C6AF23EBB80922CAF554C6AF23EBB80922CAF55

2 Kings 2 
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
2 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. ² Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.
³ Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
⁴ Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.”
But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.
⁵ Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.”
But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. ⁷ And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. ⁸ Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
⁹ And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
¹⁰ So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” ¹¹ Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.