Promised Of God: Traveling With Unmet Expectations预览

Promised Calling: Destination Unknown

I am a sucker for a well thought-out, finely executed plan. Add in a worthwhile and attainable destination, a point B if you will, and I’m in. I love me a great adventure.

God loves adventures too. In fact, scripture is filled from cover to cover with Almighty adventures, holy quests, and God-assigned goals. We begin our study of Abram’s great calling today and some pretty impressive promises of God. As you read the main scripture for today, look back at these questions:

What did you see in the beginning of this story? 

How old was Abram when the calling of God came to him? Take note of this. 

Where was he living? Mark out where he began, where he stopped and rested, where he ended up at the end of our reading. Look up these spots on a map- what strikes you about his travels?

How many promises of God do you count during these verses? 

What’s his destination? Look closely.

More often than not, God’s plans- His calling on our lives- has no defined end-point. He tends to leave out the destination altogether. Especially (and infuriatingly!) at the onset of each new quest. Note Abram’s instructions, God simply says, “…I will show you.” Anyone else get a little clammy at the lack of point B?

Destinations will come. If we follow God He will show us where to go. Step by step we will make it- wherever ‘it’ is. But that’s not the point. God’s point B is the journey. His goal is our obedience. His finale is our faith-builder. His outcomes encompass our personal souls, not our personal scenery. Abram’s destination-quest continued well after his initial calling and he was found years later still listening to his Master’s voice.

Jesus tells us in John 10:27 that we who belong to Him will know His voice. Stop today and take a look around. Listen for the Master’s word… and go. God’s promises await us at the end, yes… but part and parcel of His promises is that He will travel along the way with us.

May your faith be your finale.

REFLECTION:

Look back at your landscape from yesterday. Now look to the horizons of your life. Where is God calling you? Who is He calling you to? What is He calling you to? Maybe He’s calling you not to something but rather away from it… what does that look like in your life? 

What promises has He given you? He’s got a few that are personalized to you only… do you know what they are? 

If you don’t, pray and ask that He reveal what plans He has for you. Ask for instructions, ask for your calling. He will be faithful to give it and walk with you every step of the way.