I am preaching on Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16 this Sunday in which the author recalls the story of Abraham and Sarah who faithfully follow God into an unknown place, an unknown people, and an unknown way of life. About this incredibly huge and difficult move the text simply says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.” This is one of those stories that requires us to use our imagination and read between the lines. Because such a move, such a leap of faith on Abraham and Sarah’s part, could not have been as simple and as easy as the text makes it sound.
In fact, I imagine Abraham and Sarah really struggled with their decision. Do we follow God into the unknown? Or do we stay here on this land that we have always known? Do we step out in faith? Or do we stay here where we have been happy and comfortable and secure? Is it worth the risk? Is God worth the risk?
I imagine the decision plagued Abraham and Sarah and consumed their thoughts. I imagine Abraham getting up in the morning and going through his morning routine, washing his hair, brushing his teeth, combing his beard and then having to repeat the whole process over again because he was so distracted that he couldn’t remember whether he had actually washed his hair, brushed his teeth, and combed his beard. I imagine Abraham driving his goats home after a days worth of shepherding, his head full of thoughts…..and then missing his exit—he just wasn’t thinking, he was so distracted—
and now he has to take the long way home. I imagine Sarah up in the middle of the night in a fit of insomnia over the whole thing. I imagine her folding the clothes and cleaning their home in the wee hours of the morning and then feeling just bone tired when the new day finally arrives. I imagine the struggle. I imagine the angst. I imagine how Abraham and Sarah must have discussed God’s call, foremost in their thoughts, every time they were together.
Yet in the end they decided to take the risk. This is why they deserve to be hailed as heroes of the faith in the book of Hebrews. They took the risk and they stepped out in faith in spite of their fear, their discomfort, and their doubt.
Faith brings risk. Faith means following God into the unknown without a signed contract or any legal proof that says all your needs will be met. Faith means following God on the basis of a promise; a promise that God will be God, no matter what happens. And that, no matter what happens, God will be with you. So is it worth it? Is God worth it? Will you take the risk?
May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my mind, and the feelings of my heart, be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
Dan
Teri
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