We read in Genesis chapter 12 the account of God
providing Abram with the following instructions:
1. Get
thee out of thy country
2. And
from thy kindred
3. And
from thy fathers house
4. Go
unto a land that I will shew thee
Abram was instructed to follow Gods plan for his life to
reap the benefits He desired for him. Abram would be made a great nation, God
would bless him, make his name great; and enable him to be a blessing. He would
bless those that blessed Abram and cursed those that cursed him and through
Abram would all the families of the earth be blessed.
Why did God give Abram specific instructions? Why was it
important for Abram to leave his place of residence, leave all of his family,
leave his father’s house and go to a place he’d never been before?
Sometimes in order for God to bless us with the magnitude
of the things he has in store for us He has to take us away from everything we
know and everyone that knows us. When we are in a familiar setting, have all
the resources we need why do we need faith? We may believe we can achieve our
desires because we ‘know what we are doing’. How often have you said you can do
something with your eyes closed because you have done it so many times?
What happens when suddenly you are moved from your
comfort zone or are required to do something you have never done before? You
are no longer able to depend on your own abilities. You have to seek
assistance. God wants to be the assistance that you seek.
Abrams father worshiped idols. Maybe you hail from a
Christian family and maybe you do not. Either way just as with Abram, God wants
you to look to Him for guidance. He didn’t want Abram following in the path of
his father. Have you ever had family members try to convince you to do
something their way, or the way it’s always been done? God’s ways are higher
than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He wants you to do
things His way.
Who have you taken with you that you should have left
behind? Abram was told to leave his kindred yet he took Lot with him on his
journey. As we read further into the book of Genesis we read of strife between
the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and Lot’s cattle which caused Abram and Lot to
separate. We also read of Lot and his family being taken captive and Abram
rescuing them.
Many times we want company on our journey. We are afraid
of being by ourselves, we think we are unqualified to do what God has called us
to do so we hang on to someone from out past, a security blanket, or we may
take someone with us because we are trying to help them out. God is blessing us
so we want them to be a part of the blessing.
First, let me say whatever God has called you do He has
also equipped you to do and anything you cannot do He will bring people into
your life to assist you.
Secondly, if God sends you out and tells you to leave
others behind there is a reason. He knows our future just as He knows the
future of all those around us. A friend of mine was told of a new job by a
friend of his. My friend being the go getter that he is applied for the job,
did what was required and was hired by the company. His friend however did not
do what was required. My friend constantly pushed his friend, even providing
him with money for a class which was needed for employment.
Finally my friend realized as much as he wanted his
friend to be hired by this company it was his friend’s decision to do what was
required of him. He also realized his association with his friend was impeding
his success on the job.
God has blessed each of us with gifts and He will use His
gifts as He sees fit. It’s important for us to remember just as God has gifted
us He has gifted others. Our gifts differ just as the use of our gifts differ.
You and someone close to you may both be gifted musicians. Your gift may be to
travel the world and your friend’s gift may be to teach music in a small town.
Both gifts are from God and one is not any greater than the other, nor will the
reward for one be any greater than the other.
Follow Gods plan for your life. You cannot be someone
else and someone else cannot be you. Leave your comfort zone. Become
comfortable with the uncomfortable. Allow God to take you to that land that He
will show you, where He will bless you, your name will be great, and you will
be a blessing.
No comments:
Post a Comment