God Only Knows (December 6, 2015, Bulletin Article)

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

                 When the Lord called Abraham to leave all that was familiar to him, faith or trust was the necessary condition, for not only did he have to trust God’s promise to bless and protect him, but he had to trust that God would show him where he wanted him to go. The Lord simply told him “go to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1).Hebrews chapter twelve gives us Abraham’s perspective, saying, “when called to go… (he) obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (12:8) Abraham started his journey of faith, then, even though he did not know his final destination.

                Perhaps we have passed over the significance of this decision. Because it is in the Bible, we tend to give a pass when biblical characters make questionable decisions. But, under any other set of circumstances, Abraham’s decision would be considered questionable, even irresponsible. If we saw our neighbors packing their goods and asked them, “Where are you moving?” we might be excused for being a little confused if they answered, “I’m not sure yet. God will show me where to go.”    

                Now, it is not necessary, in order to live by faith, to literally pack up on a quixotic quest. Yet faith does, in principle, demand an approach to life that the world doesn’t know, for worldly people set goals and expect others to do the same. They celebrate selfish ambition and the selfish expression of strong-willed individuals. They understand and applaud those who achieve the goal of “fortune and fame.” People of faith, however, are not in pursuit of their own goals but God’s, for they recognize their own goals will get in the way. Jesus himself said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Who sets the goals in your life? Are you following Jesus’ agenda—or expecting him to follow yours?