Father Abraham had many kids, many kids had Father Abraham....whenever I read the story about Abram and Sarai this song always comes into my mind. It was a song that was sung during Sunday School when I was a kid. I do not know much more than the first verse anymore. However, it must have helped me remember the story of Abram who became Abraham and Sarai who became Sarah, because I have never forgotten the story. Today we read the first part before God changed their names.
I wonder why God chose Abram? I reread the genealogy part that ended our reading yesterday to see if there was a clue or a clue in today's reading, however it doesn't say why it just says that God called Abram. When I think about Abram and his story, I think about how Abram was an ordinary person. There was nothing really special about Abram, but God knew that something special could be done through Abram. Does it mean that Abram didn't make mistakes and that Abram always walked in faith, no. Take for instance in our reading today, Abram took Sarai into Egypt because of the famine in the land of Canaan. God had already called Abram and Abram was already told by God in 12:3 that God would bless those who bless Abram and curse those who treat Abram with contempt. Yet when Abram takes Sarai to Egypt he lies about who Sarai is afraid that he will be killed instead of trusting that God would protect and provide him through it. Then God comes and makes sure the truth is known and then in Chapter 15 we find God making a covenant with Abram. Sound like a familiar story?
Not only does this sound like many different situations and stories in scripture, but if we really look at it this story continues through out all of creation. We seem to forget that if God calls us to it than God will walk with us through it. Even when we mess up, like Abram did in Egypt, God still walks with us through it. The outcome might not be ideal, remember there was a famine happening in Canaan and they had to go back, but God was with them and provided.
I wonder as I read the story if Abram and Sarai's first mistake was not trusting that God would provide for them in the land that God had lead them to, or if it was once they got to Egypt they did not trust God to protect them or help them through the situation and so they handled it in a way that maybe they would have been used to handling it before Abram had been called by God. Either way it comes down to the type of relationship Abram had with God, it was a growing and learning relationship. Sound familiar? It should because all of our relationships with God should be growing and learning ones. Maybe I am the only one, but I always feel that God is putting me in situations that stretch me and strengthen my relationship with the Creator.
What I learn from Abram's story is that our relationship with God is a journey. There are hills and valleys, mountain top experiences, and flat plains, but a journey. We all might be on different parts of the journey, but we are all on this journey. Yours might look different than mine, and ours might look different then the person across the city, however it is the same journey seeking after and learning more about the love of a God who is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Friend and so much more.
Do you hear that, do you hear that voice calling your name? You might say your are just and ordinary person and wonder why God is calling you. Remember Abram was just and ordinary person too imperfect with faults and mistakes of his own, but it wasn't about Abram making a name for himself it was about God doing something great through Abram imperfections, faults, mistakes and all. Is God wanting to do something great through you? What ministry that is taking place or not happening yet that God just might be calling you to take a step of faith and do or maybe even lead? What new path on the journey is God blazing the way for you?
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