God’s Will – An Example

January 19, 2009 in Articles Comments off

In part one I talked about how God intends for every Christian to lead people to worship him. This is the fulfillment of the Great Commission that Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19-20. So whenever we are wondering what God’s will is for our lives, we know that we are to be about the Great Commission. But the real question many have is what is their specific role? That is a fair question. Everyone (hopefully) wants to feel like they are making a difference for the Kingdom. 

However, regardless of whether or not we know what our role is specifically, the command is clear: find out what God is doing and get involved.

Do you like working with kids but don’t know if that should be with small children at a daycare or as a volunteer at a church? Pick one, and it will become clear where you need to be. In case you think I am crazy to suggest this, consider the following story from Genesis 11:31—12:7.
Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there. The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran. (Genesis 11:31-32 NASB95)

Terah, Abraham’s dad, decided it was time to move his family. He set out for the land of Canaan, but never quite made it. Instead he settled for Haran and died there. I often wonder how many people set out for one goal but settle for something far less than what they originally planned in the first place? Some people set out for Harvard and settle for The University of Texas (ouch!). Or some set out for a godly mate who is the best match for them but settle for the person who accepts them the fastest. Many people settle for far less than what God gave them.

It is interesting to note that the name Terah means “delay or road block.” Typically names in the Bible reflect character. Apparently it was in his nature to settle. You know someone like that? No matter what it is they set out for, they always settle for less? It’s like it is in their nature. Are you like that?

No Matter What, Go
In Genesis 12:1 God appears to Abraham and tells him that he wants him to leave Haran.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; (Genesis 12:1 NASB95)

Besides the fact that God spoke to Abraham (which, contrary to popular belief, was not common in ancient times) what is interesting is the fact that he does not tell Abraham where to go. He tells Abraham to leave his relatives (thereby losing his relational security), and his father’s house (thereby losing his inheritance). Where is he supposed to go? The only instruction God gave him was, “Go!”
Notice what happens in verse 4:

So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. (Genesis 12:4 NASB95)

Abraham, without knowing where he was going, does exactly as God tells him and leaves. The moral of this story is this: even if the vision is not clear, we still need to go. As has been shown, God has told every Christian what they need to do. But what many do is they wait for a crystal clear signal, they wait for the entire picture to be absolutely clear before they make their first move. But the reality is that God expects us to be obedient and make the first move before he makes his mission clear.

Abraham had no idea where to go so I suppose he set out for the only place he knew of, Canaan. Recall, this was the place his dad was supposed to go but never made it. I do not think he ever intended to stay in Canaan, because the text seems to suggest that he was actually trying to pass through (Genesis 12:6). It was not until he got there, that God made it clear that Canaan was the land he was going to give him (Genesis 12:7).

So instead of waiting for God to make it all clear up front, we need to be obedient to the command of the Great Commission and move forward. The first move is on us, not God. So if you are confused about what it is you are supposed to do, start by doing what you are passionate about and then God will respond.

It’s About Others
There is one other thing we need to note about this passage. In Genesis 12:2-3 God pretty much makes it clear that the reason why he wants Abraham to take this step of faith has nothing to do with Abraham receiving any benefits but everything to do with others receiving benefits (i.e. blessings). The point is that our mission is not about us. It’s about others. Remember Jesus statement in Matthew 22:37-38 when he said that we are to love God and others? Notice he said nothing about us being loved. Why, because life as a Christian is more about God and others than it is about us.

If Abraham does not take this risk, if he does not make the first move, there is no nation of Israel and people whose number is so great that it cannot be counted will not benefit from his decision. I wonder how many people stand to benefit from your willingness to take the risk even if the vision is not clear, and make the first move to fulfill the Great Commission?