For those of you who grew up in church, when you hear the names such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, David and Paul, you think of some very special people. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are people who had very important roles in the life of God’s people.
David became a king. Noah built the ark. Moses led God’s people out of slavery. Paul helped build the early church. Abraham, Abram then, was the father of many nations.
The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.” (Genesis 12)
Often saying “yes” to God means saying “yes” to change in your life.
Saying “yes” to God for Abram meant moving, and it can be difficult to move, to change. It can be difficult to leave family you love behind. For Abram, leaving his father’s household meant leaving his family inheritance and property behind. It is not much of a stretch to even say his identity.
Instead, he chooses to be identified as one who follows God. He listens and goes.
4 Abram left just as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. (Genesis 12)
We never fully know how God can use us in our lives. It may be for something that we never fully see the fruit from. We may never fully connect the dots together. Abraham never really saw all of his descendants, the nations.
Most of our lives though will be lived during times where it may not be clear what the next “yes” is supposed to be. However, the important thing to remember during these times is to continue to seek God and walk with God the best we can. For us as Christians, we believe we have a relationship with God. So it is important to talk to God in prayer and hear from God in regular, yes even daily reading, of the Bible. It is important for us to take time to just “be still” and listen.
We too easily dismiss who we are. Who am I that God would call on me? Of course, that is likely what Abraham was saying too, right before God called out to him.
Blessings,
Pastor Matt
(All scripture cited above from Common English Bible Copyright © 2011)