Genesis 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Uncertainty is the worst. I’m afraid of heights, but it’s not my worst fear. I’m terribly afraid of drowning or dying in a fire, but they’re not my worst fears. I’m ok with spiders and the dark and I rather enjoy public speaking. I get by just fine when I’m alone. But a big dose of uncertainty and I’m done. A soul-shaped question mark will do me in every time.
Most of us are wired to fill in the blanks. We need to know. When the questions are answered, there’s security, predictability, and knowledge. We feel safe. It gives us a sense of control. Or an idea of control, maybe. Because the truth is, we have far less control than we ever think we do, and that is another issue for another Lent for another year and likely, another writer to explore.
When we get to Abram’s story in Genesis, we get a real sense that it isn’t just us. This is a story where Uncertainty could almost be a scripted character. Their doubts are towering figures in the shadows. Their questions loom over them every step. Uncertainty is visceral. At times, it’s downright suffocating, it’s in the room with them and sucking up their air.
Yet as we read these verses, there is no uncertainty. As we read our Bibles, we turn from Noah’s story to the Tower of Babel to Abram and the presence and purposes of God are abundantly clear. “Duh, Abram!” We might say as we hear the Bible School version of “Just trust God.” “Amen!” As the Hebrews 11 memory verse is said in Sunday School. Our reality wasn’t Abram’s reality. This was ALL NEW to him. Just as the steps and missteps in your journey are new to you.
We don’t have little faith because we doubt. We’re not lesser people because we have questions. We’re not broken when we give way here or there to uncertainty. Those things make us human. The scriptures are full of questions and those aren’t the things that keep us from God. He’s big enough for those. He’s big enough to hold doubts and misgivings. He’s big enough for every turn we will make along the way and as long as we are on the way with Him, there’s room for a turn back.
Of the many lessons in these familiar verses, a conversation in sovereignty leaves us with these:
True greatness is with and from God and not us.
Blessing is the measure that matters so be blessed and be a blessing.
He will take care of the rest.
Reflect:
On the verses. On the uncertainty you’ve faced and how you’ve faced it.
Journal:
What have your biggest fears been in your spiritual journey? What questions have you had or do you have for God?
Pray:
For a faith deep enough to ask questions rather than one that goes silent. Pray for trust big enough that you can be honest with God about the unknown.
1 Comment
Good thoughts, Chris. I love what you have pulled out of this passage.