To Move or not To move

Hebrews 11:8

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going"

Can we be honest for a moment? If in 2022 God tells you: *“Get up and leave and I’ll tell you where to go,”* we would all be confused! I can imagine the conversation going through some of our minds like: *“Ok God, I hear you, but I need more precision. Like, do I take my car, grab an Uber, take the plane... And then God, do I go North, South, West, or East? Oh, and is it a backpack type of up-and-go, or is it a pack-up-my-whole-life up-and-go?”* I mean, I can just imagine the inner turmoil and questioning this would have generated...

For more background, in Genesis 12:1 we see how God gave Abraham the instruction to leave his place of birth, and without any hesitation, questioning, or doubt, he did as he was told. He left with his wife and a few of his flock. This is an amazing story with many different valuable lessons to hold on to.

Folks, I have to say, this storyI heard it so many times growing up but it never really phased me. It was more like, *“Wow, how bold!”* Leading to a deep reflection on how I would have debated God and asked for a million confirmations: *“God, if it’s really you, make a bird land on my left shoulder.”* I digress! But it’s only recently that the Holy Spirit started to speak to me about this act of boldness.

You see, the Holy Spirit started to make me see how oftentimes we can underestimate clear instructions from God because of the fear of the unknown. Not all of us are bold like Abraham to just up and go. However, I know there are some of us that, as you read this, God is requiring of you a level of abandonment that is totally out of your comfort zone. The type of abandonment where your five senses cannot direct you, and it will require 100% trusting the leading of the Holy Spirit.

But what do you do when you are told to obey while your fear is at the forefront?

Is that a good enough reason to disengage? Fear can be a powerful tool used by the enemy to keep you in a place of stagnation. Stagnation then leads you to a place of turning in circles. Turning in circles leads you to a place of cycles. Then here goes 5 years, 10 years of your life right in front of you, because fear had so much more power over you. Living a life of constant surrender will require you to quiet the voices in your mind and sit still at the feet of God. Something I’m still working on myself. But what a waste would it be that, because of not listening to simple instructions, you miss out on what God had in store for you? Here we see in the text that out of Abraham’s obedience was attached his blessing. Now what is it going to be for you? When are you going to obey and let go of that job, let go of that ex, start that business, or start that group for young addicts? Whatever the Lord is prompting you to do, I pray you find the boldness to obey. For there are people attached to your obedience. I know it’s terrifying, but I’d rather you do it while shaking in your boots than arrive in heaven and God asks you, *“What did you do with the direction I gave you?”* and you reply, *“I was afraid, so I hid...”*

Let’s pray

Father God, I thank you for the gift of life. I thank you for the breath I take. I pray you give me the courage to obey, to let go, and allow you to fully have control over my life. Lord God, I see the grip of fear, doubt, and insecurity having a hold of me. But today I take a stand and choose to believe that you are a good Father, and a good Father will never ask his son or daughter to give up or go somewhere you are not. Today is the day I step into all that you have in store for me. I give you my yes, and when my yes is not enough, I pray you send me reminders that this walk is not for me, but for me to live a life of obedience, to be a living sacrifice for your glory. Thank you in advance because I believe it is done. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!