On the move

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,
obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8)

I was reflecting recently on some of the journeys I’ve made in my lifetime that are particularly engrained in my memory. There’s the short walk to my first day at school, hand in hand with my mum, about to discover a whole new world of opportunities. There’s the twelve-hour drive back from the Lake District in snow and ice, having fairly recently passed my driving test at the tender age of 54, after running out of excuses for not learning to drive! There’s the first train journey to university, the innocent and somewhat naïve country boy who’d always lived at home, heading for a big northern city, with a complete mixture of anticipation and apprehension. There’s walking alone for five days south to north across the Lake District, something like seventy miles in all, still with vivid pictures in my mind of the scenery and the weather each day, and people I met along the way. And so many more!
 
All these journeys had an element of the unknown. But I did at least know where I was going. Abraham didn’t. God’s call of him (at that time Abram) is recorded in Genesis in a very matter of fact way ...
 
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you …” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him (Genesis 12:1,4)
 
Was it really that simple? Well, yes - and no! OK, God had made great promises about what He would do in and through Abraham, but the journey was eventful, to say the least. But along the way God reminded him what He had promised, and stood by him in the ups and downs he faced. Abraham learnt a lot about Himself and, more importantly, about his faithful, powerful, ever-present, loving God.
 
Our journeys shape us too. Or, at least, they open us up to events and circumstances that do just that. When we’re on the move we, too, learn lots about ourselves, but also about the God of Abraham, who is also our God. Some people, by nature, warm to the possibility of exploring new things. They become restless with what’s routine and eager for something different. But others - me included - prefer settling with what’s known and familiar, and the comfort this can bring. Looking ahead to this new year, I spoke recently at church about adventure and risk, and asked whether we're content to settle with what’s comfortable and secure, or whether we're open to some new adventures with God this year. Sometimes we sense where the journey will take us; at other times we don’t have a clue. Either way, we need to be ready to respond when God calls, and step out with the best travelling companion we could ever have.
 
I do not know the course ahead, what joys and griefs are there;
but one is near who fully knows; I’ll trust his loving care.
I know who holds the future, and he’ll guide me with his hand.
With God things don’t just happen; everything by him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to him my all. Amen

Photo by Clemens van Lay on Unsplash