A Call To CommunityНамуна

Abraham: A Call to Community

When God called Abram, he was told to leave his country, his people and his extended family for a place “I will show you.” He didn’t even know where he was going! Could you imagine God asking you to leave everything you know for something completely unknown? 

Abram’s move was hard, but he obeyed. He had to establish a household in a faraway land where language and culture were totally different and sometimes hostile. 

Hebrews 11:8-9a reminds us that Abram, as a foreigner in a new land, had to live by faith. Later, in Genesis 14, it’s clear that he didn’t just “survive” or keep to himself—Abram engaged his community and thrived in Canaan. His actions and reputation gained the respect of neighboring peoples and kings, including the priest-king Melchizedek. 

Abram’s obedience was rewarded with a covenant between himself and God, resulting in a new name—Abraham—and the beginning of a new community of God’s people, the nation of Israel. 

Like Abraham, God designed us to thrive when we do life with each other in community. Communities develop around proximity, culture and language, but also across similar interests, passions and pursuits. No matter where we live or what we do, we’re all called to community. 

As followers of Christ we’re part of God’s family, the global community of believers. We’re bound together in one common purpose, to make him known wherever we live. And sometimes to do that God calls us from the familiar to a new community far from what we know. 

Over the next several days, we’ll look at more biblical characters who lived in cross-cultural community (some against their will) and the way God used them to further his kingdom for his glory.

Points to Ponder:

• What does “community” mean to you? How does that definition influence the way you live your life and approach relationships? 
• Is it your goal to make God known to the people around you? 
• How can you be a part of God’s global community, wherever? 

They left everything they knew for a new life in Southeast Asia. Watch “A Call to Community” at wycliffe.org/community.