Faith Like Abraham?
Photo taken by Victoria F.
Happy Sabbath everyone! Today I, Victoria, will be writing out some honest thoughts and feelings that I have after reading a passage from the book Patriarchs and Prophets.
I am 20 years old and will be turning 21 later this year. Although I have grown up Christian all my life, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago, you could say, that I have really begun to have a relationship with God. It has definitely been a journey, and I know this is only the beginning.
When one grows up in a Christian family, you are more than sure to have heard the same Bible stories and miracles over and over. One of these, in my case, is the story of Abraham and his great faith. I have heard the stories involving Abraham time, after time, after time and each time I realize more and more how incredible the strength of his relationship with God was. There are several stories in the Bible concerning Abraham, but we are going to focus on the one where God called him to go out to a place where He, God, would lead him to be.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
- Hebrews 11:8.
Really take the time to reflect on what this verse is saying. If God came up to you and told you, “Hey, come follow me,” would you really? I feel like the majority of us would like to say yes, but we know how much pain it would cost us. Remember the rich, young ruler from Mark 10:17-27? He longed to follow Jesus, but his earthly heart couldn’t bear to leave all his riches behind. Some people may not have as much of an issue leaving earthly possessions, but what about your friends? What about your best friend? What about those who love their job? What if you had to leave your mom? Your dad? Siblings? Your girlfriend or boyfriend? Your pets, your school, your hobbies, your business? What if you had to leave your land that you worked so hard for? What about your plans, dreams? Your future? It gets even harder when you feel like you just reached that next step in your life you were waiting so long for. You finally got into that college or university. You finally got that raise. You finally got married. I would like to say I could leave it all behind, but I know that my earthly heart would still suffer. A quote from the book:
“Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His word and the events of His providence. They may be required to abandon a career…to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice. God has a work for them to do; but a life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment (pg 72).”
When God makes a calling, there is a reason for it. He is not going to strip you away from everything you care and love about for no reason at all. Perhaps he will break a relationship because He needs you to do a work that you wouldn’t do if you continued in that relationship. Maybe He needs you to move to another state, or country because there are people there who you need to reach. He has his reasons, but the key is faith.
How was Abraham able to just pick up everything and leave?
“Who is ready at the call of Providence to renounce cherished plans and familiar associations? Who will accept new duties and enter untried fields, doing God’s work with firm and willing heart, for Christ’s sake counting his losses gain? He who will do this has the faith of Abraham, and will share with him that ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,’ with which ‘the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared (pg 72). 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18”
Faith. All we need is faith the size of a mustard seed and even that is so hard for us to attain. Why? Well, say the key is faith, but how do you receive faith? By building that daily relationship with God. By acknowledging the fact that He is real and there and waiting for you. But it isn’t the simple act of reading and “praying” that will get us that faith. It’s love. Love is the root of it all. Love is why we have salvation. Love is the only way we can have have faith. When you accept the fact that a literal GOD came down from the perfect, beautiful, carefree, happy Heaven just to save YOU…when you realize this plan of salvation is supposed to be a loving relationship between you and your Savior…that is when you start to have faith. Your faith will grow as your love for God grows. It is the only way. If you have a loved one, whether it be a parent, sibling, friend, significant other or spouse, just someone you really care about, wouldn’t you be happy just spending time with them and enjoying being wherever they are? I know I would. It is time we feel the same for God. He has a space in His heart only you can fill and it will remain empty as long as you don’t take that time to search Him and spend time with Him. We must return to our first Love.
“God has spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be (pg 72).”
Written by: Victoria F.
Quotes from the Bible and the book Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White.