We were asked to write an essay called “This I Believe” about what really matters to us, as preparation for this world missions adventure called the World Race. This is what I believe…
…you gotta keep moving!
Genesis 12:1 is a verse that has really stuck out to me lately. “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.'” God has definitely filled my heart with a VERY literal translation of this verse during this current stage of my life. Shoot, 11 countries in 11 months is crazy! That exact sentiment was shared by the crotchety old physician at the travel clinic last Wednesday as he shoved two more vaccinations into my arm! But there is a much deeper meaning to this verse than just physically re-locating yourself.
This brings us to our old friend, the comfort zone. This topic is something that I’m really harping on lately simply because I’m so relieved to be free of the lies; lies which rendered me inept for entirely too long. The World Race is definitely not something that God requires of everyone, but faith is. Real faith. Holy crap I don’t see how this is going to work but I’m gonna go ahead and trust God faith. And the biggest faith killer is where we feel the most secure – our routines. It’s all too easy to hide behind our daily routines and call it “being responsible”. If Abram had opted for the comfort of his daily routine in Haran, he likely would have never received God’s gift of a vision, found two chapters later in Genesis 15:1:
“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'”
So Abram went out on a limb and left home, and not only did God protect him (as his shield, for those of you who are a little slow), but he rewarded him! Abram was constantly moving, stepping over that invisible barrier of familiar and relying on God’s strength to sustain him. And God blessed him richly for it by making him the “father of many nations.” But constantly is the key word here. It’s not just a one time thing. God repeatedly required things from Abram which in turn, to steal a phrase from Brennan Manning, required ‘ruthless trust’ from Abram.
Abram’s life was filled with miraculous stories. And Abram was just an average human who screwed up more often than not. Just like me. And just like you. So, don’t get stuck in your routine and rob yourself of God’s blessings. Keep moving outside your comfort zone! You never know what God has in store for you…
