Learning to Follow God

            The life of Abraham is a prime example of a life lived by faith in God.  I am not saying that Abraham never had confusion or that he never fell short of what God expected.  These things happened.  What we see is that God’s call to Abraham was a call to “get out” and to “give up.”  God called Abraham to get out of the land that had been his home.  To “get out” meant that Abraham was “giving up” on that place and the things it had to offer.  Getting out meant replacing the culture that Abraham had previously lived in.  Getting out meant leaving family, friends, and acquaintances behind.  Getting out meant leaving the financial security he had known.  After God's call, Abraham obeyed, and through this and the choices that would follow, God was teaching Abraham that real security, real refuge, and true foundations are only found with Him.

            God led Abraham to take a path where he would learn that his sure foundation was found only in God. Abraham learned not to be controlled by the fears or allurements of this world.  As Abraham journeyed and followed God, trials arose.  Tests and difficulties came Abraham’s way.  These were all part of the learning curve.  Often, people state that suffering and trials are not fair. However, we need to consider: Is it cruel of God to move us out of situations, out of thinking, and out of habits that will destroy us? Of course not.  When God called Abraham (and us today) to “get out” of places that are not beneficial, God did so for Abraham’s good (and for our good as well).  How often have people invested their lives in things that, at best, will not last and are uncertain?  At worst, these things are deadly and destructive.  Too often, people seek the temporary and the transitory.  People are certain that happiness and fulfillment will result.  Sadly, they do not.  Far too often, this frantic search for meaning turns into a hopeless and defeated life.  To remedy this, God calls to us.  He offers a different way.

            God’s work in our lives is illustrated in the simple story, “The Lumberjack and the Robin.”  This story tells about a lumberjack working in a forested area.  The lumberjack is preparing to clear an area of all the trees so a settlement can be built.  As the lumberjack prepares to fell the first tree, he sees a robin fly to that tree and begin a make a nest.  Seeing the robin’s preparations, the lumberjack begins banging on the tree with the flat side of his axe.  After the robin is rattled by the banging of the axe, she flies to the next tree.  The lumberjack follows the robin.  The poor robin is rattled and frightened by the actions of the lumberjack.  As the robin moves from tree to tree, she is disturbed by the whack, whack, whack of the lumberjack’s axe.  The compassionate lumberjack does not allow the robin to build her nest among the trees that are doomed to be cut down.  While the robin is obviously frightened and frustrated, little does it see or understand the benevolence of the lumberjack.  Finally, the robin finds a cleft on the side of a nearby mountain.  There she can safely build her nest.  This story is a simple lesson about compassion, helpful direction, and safety.

            The lesson that God had for Abraham (and us) is that real security can only be found in following God's way.  If God is not the foundation of our lives, we have no solid foundation.    Abraham learned little by little, steadily and surely, that God’s ways are the best.  When Abraham failed, it was because he left God out of the equation.  God never forgot about Abraham.  Abraham’s occasional problem was that he forgot about God.  As Abraham walked with God, he learned that God could be trusted.  This is what we see in Hebrews 11:10 — "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  God led Abraham to have a new vision that looked for and to God.  God led Abraham to trust not in this world, but in a good and caring Heavenly Father.  Ultimately, Abraham was taught that the crux of everything is embracing a life that trusts God.  Will you and I learn that same lesson?  Each day is an opportunity to live a life where we find joy in living God’s way.  We are tested by a world that wants to lead us astray.  We must be open to God’s leading and be obedient to His call.  Keep looking up!