Transition like Abram

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1

Transition. Disconnection. Moving.

Abram was 75 when he got this ‘call’ from the Lord God. Not exactly in the ‘spring’ of his youth. Neither was his wife Sarai a ‘young’ woman. Now to pick and move … everything… to a ‘land’ they did not know. This was just the beginning of Abram’s life challenges he was to be put through. If you’ve read his story in Genesis — you know what those challenges were. Did Abram pass all of them well? Nope. He still made mistakes, his ‘flesh’ still got in the way sometimes. Yet — in Hebrews 11 (the heroes of the faith) he is mentioned and it says this about him…

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Maybe this is about learning how to lean into God. Learning how to listen and trust Him.
Learning how to ‘not fear’ in the midst of overwhelming odds against you. Learning that as you ‘go’ you need to stay ‘present’ with Him. Not going ahead, or falling behind. And starting each new day (thank you Lord for your daily new mercies) from the right posture and attitude of praise and love. Casting all your ‘cares’ and anxieties back into His very capable hands, and asking for His guidance, and then being patient. And doing this over and over again. Yes – some days you will do better than others, that’s being human.

Doing what Paul told the Philippians he did…

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

This is the journey my wife and I have been on … literally the last 3 weeks. Sold the house. Packed, sold, or gave away our items. And set out for a new ‘land’. One only slightly ‘known’ by us. Being on the ‘road’, living out the hotel, or rented space, and moving on. Mile after mile. Soon hopefully landing in the space we have only somewhat secured. Things can change oh so quickly. Things can disrupt and cause immediate frustration and anxiety. Having to ask for forgiveness from your spouse when your reaction got out of hand.

I’m hoping that our journey in miles is about to come to a close, but the journey of community and purpose still lies ahead. So much to reestablish. So much to build and create. So much we need to rightly come together with … in humility before Him in prayer. So many new decisions. Hopefully we’ve grown and learned from this journey. Hopefully we’ve been forged into a tighter bond.

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

A husband and wife “team” must learn how the two needs to be three. Not by child, but by the Holy Spirit. Constantly and humbly together before Him in prayer. This is the challenge we who are married face. Can we come together always remembering the ‘first’ Person in this ‘cord’? The One sending us out together? 

Father guide us. Cover us. Bind us together with YOU! Jesus – help us find clarity together with YOU! Holy Spirit show us YOUR fingerprints and footsteps in the ‘way’ we should go. May we also be 3 with YOU!

Reread John 17 to hear the heart of Jesus about … you and me.