Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Lisa Tchividjian

“Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, ‘God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.’ Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” Genesis 4:25-26 (NIV)

I was angry when my sister died at the age of 31. She was my only sister and my best friend. She had this habit of calling me every day. This was back in the day when the phone was attached to the wall, so she had to find me, and she would. When she passed away, I told the Lord I just really didn’t want to talk to Him for a while. And I didn’t. I had small children who kept my mind busy during the day. But every time that stupid phone rang, my heart sank and the tears flowed.

One night my three-year-old son got the stomach flu. My little guy had been my sidekick as we walked through those last few months of watching my sister die. He saw us pray and pray and pray for her. So of course, when he got sick his first response was, “Pray for me Mommy!” I prayed, he prayed, and then he would vomit again. We did this about five times over the course of an hour. I finally walked out of the bedroom and had it out with God. “Really Lord? You can’t hear this little guy’s prayers? Can’t you just answer this one?” I felt like the Lord spoke to me in that moment and said, “Faith is coming to me regardless of the answer. It’s coming to me again and again. It’s trusting me even when it hurts.” I walked back into our bedroom and my little boy was sound asleep. He didn’t vomit again all night.

As I read this verse, I think of that moment in my life—when I heard God’s voice for the first time in months and I realized how much I wanted Him back in my life. I was ready to call on the name of the Lord, not because He would answer all my prayers but because He is God. I wanted Him to be the Lord of my life and walk with me through the good and the bad. 

I’m sure Eve had her moments with God when she lost her sons. I’m sure you have as well. Call on the name of the Lord. Life with Him is much fuller than it is without Him.

DIG: What has happened in your life that has caused you to question God?

DISCOVER: Have an honest conversation with the Lord. Ask Him to reveal His heart to you.

DO: Share your journey with someone.