Hello everyone and welcome back to the Faith Journey Blog. Last time in part 3 we talked about the role of perseverance and faith. Today we are looking at “The Choice”.
You may be thinking, “what do you mean by “The Choice?”. I am talking about the choice to turn back, to give up on walking by faith and go back. There are some interesting verses in Hebrews 11:13-16. Let me share them with you…
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desired a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
About a year ago I had the privilege of taking my ladies that attend our Wednesday Morning Bible Study through the study Patriarchs by Beth Moore. In that study we took a very detailed look at Abraham’s (also known as Abram before God changed his name)calling to leave the land of Ur and travel to a land promised to him and his descendants. Apparently, half way through that journey to Canaan, Abraham’s father Terah who was 205 years old died in Haran. (Genesis 11:32) Abraham was right in the middle of stepping out in faith following God – not knowing where he was going and his own father dies. We often experience trials like this in our journey of faith.
I know for me personally, I can identify somewhat with Abraham. Just after I graduated from college and moved to Texas to start Seminary my father passed away. Here you are struggling to be obedient to God, taking a big step to follow Him not knowing where it will lead you and then tragedy strikes. Many of us have been in similar shoes. When this happened to me, I obviously had to return home to be with my mom and bury my father. After things were settled, there came the question, “Are you going to continue to follow and trust God or sit here where it is comfortable?” I could have called off going to Seminary and following God’s call on my life. It would have been easy to do that because my first two months out there were not easy at all. As a matter of fact, they were quite miserable. It was my first taste of being away from home and on my own. My job was tough, school was tough, my roommates were at each others throats constantly those two months, my car broke down three times and left me stranded on the side of the road (no cell phone-too broke to have one), I accidentally backed into someone – no damage thank goodness – all the while calling home only to find my father’s condition was deteriorating. Mom and Dad both tried to hide that, but I knew in the back of my mind things would not get better. After having such a tough experience to look back on, going back was not what I wanted to do. I had a choice. I even tried to pursue going to a different Seminary thinking that would be better, even closer to home. Yet, I remember that day walking down the hallway that God spoke to my heart, “Dana, you have to go back.” I knew that my calling depended on it.
Likewise, Abraham could have turned back and gone home. Back to the familiar – the comfort and ease of home, friends, stability etc… Yet, he choose obedience. He buried his father, helped his family and then God called out to him again. Genesis 12:1-3 says that God called forth to Abraham again and reminded him of the promise that he would be a great nation with many descendants with a land of their own one day. It is interasting that verse 1 says, “Now the LORD said to Abram…” Look at that word “Now”. I was As if to say, “Now, that is done and Abram, it is time to move forward.” When we have these moments of interruption in our faith journey it does not mean that God can’t be trusted or that He has lost control. I think the opposite is true. He may be asking, “Are you still going to trust me “NOW” that this has happened? Do you believe I can work even through this? Do you love me enough to trust me despite your circumstances?” Wow…big questions to ponder. Well, the choice is yours and mine. Are we going to press on and go where God leads or do we turn back. One helpful hint here…according to Hebrews 11:13 if you are focusing on the comforts or things that you left, you will have opportunity to return. My friend, if God has called you forward you can’t look back. You can’t focus on what you left behind or you will stumble and fall as you are trying to move forward. So, what do you say…let’s make a deal….you take my hand and we will keep moving forward together!
Dana