“Now the Lord . . said to Abraham.” Genesis 12:1 NKJV
“You are somebody, going somewhere, to accomplish something important to God.”
My thoughts today are about “the grand adventure.”
Abraham’s life was an adventure – an adventure of faith and obedience. God took Him from his comfort zone on the great adventure of trust and unimagined provision. Had he been content with the way things were, or intent on remaining where he was, he would never have known what God’s plan for his life could be. God had a journey for him – a place, a family, a calling, and a reward awaited him. That all began when Abraham listened to God’s voice in his heart. (Read Genesis 12:1-9 NIV/Hebrews 11:8-12 NIV). That’s always how and where the adventure begins.
There is an interesting incident that Luke recalls of Jesus’ visit to a home in the little village of Bethany, near Jerusalem. The contrast of your life’s choices is illustrated in Mary and Martha’s responses to Jesus’ visit to their home. Luke describes the occasion this way, “Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted . . and Jesus said, ‘Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part . .” Luke 10:38-42 NKJV. Both loved Jesus; one was attentive to Jesus’ words while the other was busy with Jesus’ needs. Neither is wrong, but one is clearly the greater priority. People are rarely one or the other, but usually an unpredictable blend of both. Which describes your relationship with God right now?
Haven’t you had occasions when someone was talking to you, but your attention was elsewhere? You were busy and distracted with something else. You heard their voice but your mind was not processing their words. You heard sounds; you did not receive understanding. Communication requires hearing; hearing necessitates listening; listening presumes relationship. The ability to hear is rarely the problem. God gave you the ability to hear and understand. You must give God your attention to listen, and your willingness to follow His direction.
Do you want a life of adventure and discovery? I think in every heart there is a God-given love of adventure – to experience life in its fullness, reaching beyond the familiar into the yet unknown. There is no reward without risk – considered risk not senseless; that is a given. Life quickly becomes predictable when routines become ruts. That’s safe but not very exciting. Walking with God is anything but routine. To know His voice, you have to listen for Him; to hear His voice, you have to stay close to Him.
You have a lifelong adventure brimming with excitement around every corner. You will not know what is waiting for you, nor where to find your grand adventure until you are listening to God with your heart. The Bible is full of amazing stories of men and women, young and old, following God and finding His fellowship incredible! You are somebody special, going somewhere in particular, to accomplish something important to God. Don’t ever settle for anything less.
My prayer for you today is that you find the exciting satisfaction of a purposeful life.