Jump Start # 974

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

This verse has been on my mind recently. It is interesting how events in life will find connections to Bible verses. We are in the process of moving. This is the most unusual move for us in our marriage. If I counted right, this will be our 8th move in our marriage. Eight different houses. That amazes my dad. He’s one who has lived decades in the same place. Not us. Some of the moves were to different cities as I worked with churches. Several moves were of necessities because of a growing family. This move is different. I’m staying with the same congregation. All the kids but one are out of the house. It’s time to think about the next phase of our life and that includes grandkids. This move is more about that.

I’ve found that just about everyone hates to move. I’m in that group as well. I don’t like things not in their place. I feel restless until everything is just right. It takes a while for the “just right” feeling to come. It’s amazing how much stuff that a person accumulates. I might lose my “man card” on this one, but I think I have more clothes than my wife does.

Moving. Abraham moved. That’s what our verse tells us. He wasn’t looking for a bigger house. In fact, he lived in tents. His tents where huge, nice and with rugs. Abraham’s move was called by God. The Lord wanted him out of Ur and the Lord had some plans for Abraham. God had promised Abraham a land. His descendants would occupy that land. What is fascinating about our verse is that Abraham wasn’t told exactly where he was going. The text says, “not knowing where he was going.” That’s the part most of us would struggle with. We could go if God told us. But, please tells us first, where we are going. God didn’t do that with Abraham. His journey was a journey of faith. God knew. Abraham didn’t.

You and I are also moving. Our move doesn’t involve boxes, painting, or lifting furniture. God has plans for us and is taking us places. Our journey with the Lord, like Abraham’s, is a journey of faith. The Lord opens doors, grants opportunities and moves hearts. He does all that to fulfill His will. That’s what was behind Abraham’s move. God has plans for us. His plans involve His will. Sometimes God leads us through the valleys, as David experienced in Psalms 23. Sometimes God leads to difficult places as Paul experienced. Prison was included in Paul’s journey, but that turned into something special as the household of Caesar was introduced to the Gospel.

Abraham’s journey involved faith. He didn’t know where he was going, but God did. He trusted God. He knew that God knew. We do well to have the same trust in the Lord. The ups and downs of life, the journeys, or “the adventures” as my wife likes to call them, are less toiling upon us when we trust in the Lord. There is a purpose greater than ours. There is a cause greater than our happiness. When we seek to please the Lord in all that we do, the journeys will have value and become productive. You can’t park your faith just because you are going through some tough times and you are very stressed at the moment. Faith continues on. Faith is needed in the sunny days as well as the stormy nights. Faith keeps our order in order. Faith reminds us to behave. Faith reminds us that we are Christians. Sometimes in doing the right thing, you feel like you get the short end of things. Some times it seems that some are taking advantage of you. Be nice, noble, honest and let your light shine. This is what God would want from you. This is what God expects.

It’s sad to see some park their faith because we are busy or are on vacation or grandma’s in the hospital or there is a big project at work. Don’t you need faith in those things? Could it be God is using you in those places.

Abraham moved. God told him. He went. He went believing. That makes all the difference in the world.

Just a note, this will be the last Jump Starts for the rest of this week. I will be transitioning from one place to another and discontinuing internet and starting up internet and until everything is running smooth again, I will hold off writing. I apologize. Look for us again on Monday.

Roger