Genesis 12:1-5
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you........So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.......He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
In an earlier chapter of Genesis 11:31, we understand that Abram's father Terah was originally meant to bring his entire family to Canaan from Ur. However, when they came to Haran, they settled there and Abram never made it to Canaan until God spoke to Abram to leave.
After 75 years of settling comfortably in Haran, it was time for Abram to pack up all his possessions and move on. I can imagine how much logistics and discomfort it is to pack up ones belongings and life. Already as I attempt to clean up my room to make it a comfortable place to accomodate my future massage chair, I baulk at the potential uncertainties of where I'll be doing with my accumulated stuff. What more in Abram's case where he is to not only pack up but relocate somewhere in faith.
In Hebrews 11:8-10, the amplified bibles provides us with a clearer picture of Abram's emotions and what he was going through
[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.
[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.
As I compare and try to comprehend the Faith which moved Abram to leave his entire life behind, I realise its all about his focused vision on the Creator God and how he expectantly and confidently saw the kingdom that God would build. Somehow he understood the simplicity of all that he was to do was to obey and move on as he was told. It really wasn't about seeing how through his move, the promises of God would be fulfilled. Neither was he acting because the Creator God had promised to make his name great and bless him (see Genesis 12:2-3).
Faith is explained as Abram's action: he went out, not knowing where he was going. It's a really scary and somewhat illogical concept especially when we attempt to live out our life's future plans in faith. But living out in faith would result in us going where we don't know but only God does, experiencing something which God wants even though we can't imagine now, and encountering something we don't know if we are ready, but trusting God knows we are.
I believe Abram recognised that the blessing and protection which was promised are always given when anyone obeys and follows God. But humanly, we all know that it would not suffice nor overcome the uncertainty and fear that grips our heart as we fanthom about the unknown. That's where Faith plays its role and goes beyond a feeling and logical rationalisation. Despite all the uncertainties and worries that we have, the bible assures us that true, but simple, Faith will assure us with a heartfelt conviction.
I grew up with an annointed bunch of peers, whom I tried to play catch-up to them as I often marvelled their awesome talents and Godly given giftings at work. Throughout my teenage years and the "oh-so" passionate encounters with God, I often witnessed many of them responding to God's calling on their lives. As the years went by, and we reached adulthood and served life's responsibilities, I see few of them electing to pursue the vision that they once were given.
As explained in the parable of the sower, as we grow up, the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth / money / practical supplication choke us like the weeds of the parable and make us unfruitful.
I cannot confess that I can leave my comfort zone and all behind like Abram and move on to the unknown in bold faith because I expectantly and confidently can see the kingdom that God would build someday. What I do know is that, if that is expected of me in my life someday, a God given faith will be planted in my heart and my decision will be made with an arising of Godly conviction of things -inspite of the fact that I may not being able to see it with my logical perspective.
Blessings,
M.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)
06 October 2006
Leaving it all behind ...in Faith
Genesis 12:1-5
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you........So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.......He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
In an earlier chapter of Genesis 11:31, we understand that Abram's father Terah was originally meant to bring his entire family to Canaan from Ur. However, when they came to Haran, they settled there and Abram never made it to Canaan until God spoke to Abram to leave.
After 75 years of settling comfortably in Haran, it was time for Abram to pack up all his possessions and move on. I can imagine how much logistics and discomfort it is to pack up ones belongings and life. Already as I attempt to clean up my room to make it a comfortable place to accomodate my future massage chair, I baulk at the potential uncertainties of where I'll be doing with my accumulated stuff. What more in Abram's case where he is to not only pack up but relocate somewhere in faith.
In Hebrews 11:8-10, the amplified bibles provides us with a clearer picture of Abram's emotions and what he was going through
[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.
[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.
As I compare and try to comprehend the Faith which moved Abram to leave his entire life behind, I realise its all about his focused vision on the Creator God and how he expectantly and confidently saw the kingdom that God would build. Somehow he understood the simplicity of all that he was to do was to obey and move on as he was told. It really wasn't about seeing how through his move, the promises of God would be fulfilled. Neither was he acting because the Creator God had promised to make his name great and bless him (see Genesis 12:2-3).
Faith is explained as Abram's action: he went out, not knowing where he was going. It's a really scary and somewhat illogical concept especially when we attempt to live out our life's future plans in faith. But living out in faith would result in us going where we don't know but only God does, experiencing something which God wants even though we can't imagine now, and encountering something we don't know if we are ready, but trusting God knows we are.
I believe Abram recognised that the blessing and protection which was promised are always given when anyone obeys and follows God. But humanly, we all know that it would not suffice nor overcome the uncertainty and fear that grips our heart as we fanthom about the unknown. That's where Faith plays its role and goes beyond a feeling and logical rationalisation. Despite all the uncertainties and worries that we have, the bible assures us that true, but simple, Faith will assure us with a heartfelt conviction.
I grew up with an annointed bunch of peers, whom I tried to play catch-up to them as I often marvelled their awesome talents and Godly given giftings at work. Throughout my teenage years and the "oh-so" passionate encounters with God, I often witnessed many of them responding to God's calling on their lives. As the years went by, and we reached adulthood and served life's responsibilities, I see few of them electing to pursue the vision that they once were given.
As explained in the parable of the sower, as we grow up, the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth / money / practical supplication choke us like the weeds of the parable and make us unfruitful.
I cannot confess that I can leave my comfort zone and all behind like Abram and move on to the unknown in bold faith because I expectantly and confidently can see the kingdom that God would build someday. What I do know is that, if that is expected of me in my life someday, a God given faith will be planted in my heart and my decision will be made with an arising of Godly conviction of things -inspite of the fact that I may not being able to see it with my logical perspective.
Blessings,
M.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you........So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.......He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
In an earlier chapter of Genesis 11:31, we understand that Abram's father Terah was originally meant to bring his entire family to Canaan from Ur. However, when they came to Haran, they settled there and Abram never made it to Canaan until God spoke to Abram to leave.
After 75 years of settling comfortably in Haran, it was time for Abram to pack up all his possessions and move on. I can imagine how much logistics and discomfort it is to pack up ones belongings and life. Already as I attempt to clean up my room to make it a comfortable place to accomodate my future massage chair, I baulk at the potential uncertainties of where I'll be doing with my accumulated stuff. What more in Abram's case where he is to not only pack up but relocate somewhere in faith.
In Hebrews 11:8-10, the amplified bibles provides us with a clearer picture of Abram's emotions and what he was going through
[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.
[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.
As I compare and try to comprehend the Faith which moved Abram to leave his entire life behind, I realise its all about his focused vision on the Creator God and how he expectantly and confidently saw the kingdom that God would build. Somehow he understood the simplicity of all that he was to do was to obey and move on as he was told. It really wasn't about seeing how through his move, the promises of God would be fulfilled. Neither was he acting because the Creator God had promised to make his name great and bless him (see Genesis 12:2-3).
Faith is explained as Abram's action: he went out, not knowing where he was going. It's a really scary and somewhat illogical concept especially when we attempt to live out our life's future plans in faith. But living out in faith would result in us going where we don't know but only God does, experiencing something which God wants even though we can't imagine now, and encountering something we don't know if we are ready, but trusting God knows we are.
I believe Abram recognised that the blessing and protection which was promised are always given when anyone obeys and follows God. But humanly, we all know that it would not suffice nor overcome the uncertainty and fear that grips our heart as we fanthom about the unknown. That's where Faith plays its role and goes beyond a feeling and logical rationalisation. Despite all the uncertainties and worries that we have, the bible assures us that true, but simple, Faith will assure us with a heartfelt conviction.
I grew up with an annointed bunch of peers, whom I tried to play catch-up to them as I often marvelled their awesome talents and Godly given giftings at work. Throughout my teenage years and the "oh-so" passionate encounters with God, I often witnessed many of them responding to God's calling on their lives. As the years went by, and we reached adulthood and served life's responsibilities, I see few of them electing to pursue the vision that they once were given.
As explained in the parable of the sower, as we grow up, the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth / money / practical supplication choke us like the weeds of the parable and make us unfruitful.
I cannot confess that I can leave my comfort zone and all behind like Abram and move on to the unknown in bold faith because I expectantly and confidently can see the kingdom that God would build someday. What I do know is that, if that is expected of me in my life someday, a God given faith will be planted in my heart and my decision will be made with an arising of Godly conviction of things -inspite of the fact that I may not being able to see it with my logical perspective.
Blessings,
M.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)
