Reading: Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Reflection

I’m not very good at making decisions. I have to know every detail, ask a million questions, and always, always wonder about the “what-ifs?” Even after I make some decisions, I am still second guessing them.

Abram really didn’t even blink an eye when God called him. God said, “Go!” Abram went.

I wonder how many times in my life things may have turned out differently had I not questioned, had I not wondered about those “what-ifs?” I believe it is good to be cautious to an extent. My parents always taught me to pay attention to detail and be sure I knew what I was getting into before doing it. Sometimes being cautious is good before making a final decision.

When God calls though, we can put our complete and total trust in God and God’s plan for our lives. No matter the decision we make, God is there on the journey with us no matter the direction or the trials that come with that decision.

Life for Abram and Sarai was not easy. God asked a lot of them in their old age. God told Abram to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house. Abram went. Abram was faithful to God, and God kept the promises to Abram and Sarai and they were indeed blessed by those promises. Even through hard times and some heartache along the way, Abram and Sarai never failed to trust God and listen to God. God is always faithful.

We can put full trust and assurance in God’s promises as well. Though at times we may want to hold back and think and worry and contemplate for a while, we need to say “yes” with full certainty when God calls us to something. In that “yes” we say with full and complete confidence in our God, that our God will surely see us through anything we are called to do. God, and God’s goodness in our lives is true and steadfast and will remain through anything we face.

–Amy Shuck

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for Abram’s willingness and certainty to follow where you called him to go. Trusting you fully in our lives, we too will go wherever you call us to share your love and grace in this world. Through all our callings Lord, you are there and your goodness and grace will surely follow.

Amen.