What Is Ahead?

Security is a prominent concern in today’s world, whether in protecting national borders or one’s home or seeking financial guarantees. We protect our lifestyles, our families or our groups. Such concerns have their place, but this reading challenges attitudes and priorities. Genesis 11 tells how the people of Babel sought security with one another (a “city” has walls) and also a “name for ourselves” (Gen. 11:4), but that was not God’s way forward for his world (Gen. 11:5–9). In contrast, God called Abraham to “go from” (1) all that was familiar, promising that “I will make your name great” (2). He was to journey into a future whose only description was, “I will show you” (1). His response affected the many who would travel with him (5), but the outcome was to be “blessing” (2) that was to be shared with “all peoples on earth” (3).

Global blessing begins with a person of whom we know only his family background. We know nothing of Abraham’s character (contrast Noah; Gen. 6:9), only the profoundly simple details: God spoke to him and “so Abram went” (4). In this he truly becomes “the father of us all” who share his faith (Rom. 4:16), irrespective of diverse backgrounds. To share Abraham’s faith is to take God at his word and act accordingly. This may at times involve hearing “go from” what is familiar and safe and finding our security in obeying the God who blesses us and others as we follow. Often, like Abraham, this includes taking others with us (5).

Going into the new, trusting in God, is different from foolhardy risk-taking. It is doing “as the Lord had told” (4). Centuries later, Peter stepped out of the security of a boat on to water; that was after he had said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water” and heard the response, “Come” (Matt. 14:28,29).

How do you handle a situation when you feel that God is calling you to leave what is familiar?