Leaving home a few weeks ago to travel to Colorado, seemed like going to a faraway land. I spent summer vacations growing up with my family exploring the East coast so anything west was new. I set out excited to see a new part of the country, new scenery and to spend time with family for my nephew’s wedding. The plans were made in advance and even though Colorado was new to me, I was not venturing into the complete unknown like Abraham.
I cannot even imagine how Abraham felt as He received God’s call to travel. Many of us would jump at the chance, but this was not a destination with a well thought out itinerary (except in God’s mind). The call was to “come and follow me”. A “yes” would take Abraham far away from home into a land of unknowns.
God’s call for each of us is a series of new beginnings. Sometimes the path is clear and other times we step out in faith leaning into God’s plan. Abraham’s act of faith not only saw him stepping out of his comfort zone but also models a journey of perseverance. His “yes” laid the foundation for future believers as God calls us to come and follow Him.
[Tweet “We find home when we allow our story to become one with God’s. Home is where our story begins.”]
When Abraham said “yes, Lord”, he cleared the way for each of us to do the same. We choose to participate as Abraham when we embrace our home as one in which God is the center. Home takes our yeses and our noes and intertwines them with God’s story. We find home when we allow our story to become one with God’s. Home is where our story begins.
By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:8-10 MSG
Sabbath blessings,
Abraham just went and with the willingness to be in a tent among strangers. Thinking about that I also hear the message to be willing to live among ‘strangers’ or those that we may not consider our tribe. What a step of faith that is and, I believe, a way to be more loving to our neighbours as Jesus taught. Thanks for evoking these thoughts in me today Mary!
Ah … Colorado, a place I’ve never been. I love that even in the midst of this transition season, you are able to experience vistas that inspire. I’ve been an east coast girl all my life, so I appreciated your thoughts on your family adventure.
And Abraham? Wow. I can’t even begin to imagine God’s call on his life and the faith He asked him to embrace and live out.
I leave here challenged …
Blessings to you today, friend.
Abraham is getting under my skin these days. He keeps popping up in things I’m reading and studying. I know there must be a reason. Only God!!!
I hope you get to visit some beautiful vistas that are new to you. It brings a new perspective to everything. Blessed to have you here.
I’m glad I came here today, Mary. <3 We've begun studying Abraham on Thursday nights with a group of local believers here. And this is especially encouraging because my husband and I area saying yes to some "new journeys" lately. Blessings to you.
Abraham has come up in multiple readings for me recently. I love how God knows what I need. I will be praying for you and your husband as you step out in your own “yes”. Thank you for blessing me by being here today.
Hi Mary! I love Colorado, and have many family members who live out there. I hope you had a wonderful time of celebration and seeing the sights too.
Abraham is such a milepost for our ‘yes’, isn’t he? He went out, not knowing where the heck he was going, and that takes a mountain of faith (like the mountains in Colorado!). We can say yes too, but my faith has to be in the right place. Maybe God bless me and increase my faith in him.
Blessings,
Ceil
How fun that you have family in Colorado. The little bit that I saw was gorgeous. Abraham is a beautiful example of faith and perseverance. I pray we all learn to be more like Abraham. May our faith continue to increase.
THIS:”Sometimes the path is clear and other times we step out in faith leaning into God’s plan”
I know you have done a lot of leaning into God’s plan. God sure loves when we do that. I hope the new job is going well.
Mary,
Oh how I love the familiar and the harder it gets to say, “Yes, Lord” especially when it involves change. Thank you for reminding me that we are, like Abraham, continually on a journey with God. I need to keep being open to His leading.
Sabbath blessings,
Bev xo
I’m with you that staying in that comfortable place is always preferable. But then I remember Abraham and his faith in saying “yes” without knowing what the future held. Surely I can step out knowing God is right by my side. I pray you not only hear from God but allow Him to lead the way.
I just love this concept: “When Abraham said “yes, Lord”, he cleared the way for each of us to do the same. We choose to participate as Abraham when we embrace our home as one in which God is the center.”
It reminds me of Paul’s words in (I think) I Corinthians about how “all these things” (meaning the OT saints’ hard following) happened “for your instruction.” That notion always stops me in my tracks — the lengths to which God has been willing to go to demonstrate His love for us and to communicate His great salvation.
Thanks, Mary, for faithfully reporting what God is teaching you — for my instruction!
I find it to be such a God thing when the same story of Abraham turns up in three different things I’m reading. God really wanted me to understand how important Abraham’s “yes” was.
I love that God is teaching you through this too. And don’t you love the words “for your instruction”? I’m sure God is thinking those words about me all the time. I am blessed that God is teaching me so I can process it and share it here. Love your insight!