Thursday, December 5, 2024
Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6
God called people to do new and uncomfortable tasks, or even to a new and different life. Noah was called to build an ark under the jeering glare of his local friends. Moses was called to lead his people out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery. Joshua was called to lead an army into an unknown territory. None of these men or women knew what the future held or what hardships they would face. They were told by God to take the first steps, and He would guide them as they went.
Abram’s father, Terah had left Ur and settled in Harran, where he died, leaving Abram as the head of the family. God told Abram to take his family from Harran and “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” God didn’t give Abram a complete set of directions, but a command to move and He would show him the directions along the way.
As Abram and his family traveled, they passed through Canaan (the Promised Land), on to Egypt, then back to Canaan. Many conflicts and hardships came along the way such as famines, attacks on Abram’s wife Sarai, family disputes, attacks by large armies, and other major life disruptions. Through all this, Abram remained loyal to following God’s lead. He continued to sacrifice to God and move when God said move, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his first son with Sarai, the son God had promised him and delivered when he was 100 years old. The road was difficult, but Abram obeyed, and God renamed him Abraham for his faith promising he would be the father of a great nation. God is calling Yates Baptist Church to do something different, to move out of its comfort zone. We are not told how the journey will go, but we are told to follow God’s lead. We have taken some beginning steps to help discern the possible paths. Pray for our church and its leaders as we pass through this journey. Let’s see where God will take us.
Mike and Lois English have been members of Yates Baptist Church since 1986 and leaders of the Koinonia Sunday School Class (and its predecessors) for approximately 35 years.