A JOURNEY OF FAITH

Genesis 12:1

The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

                I have always been fascinated by those brave souls who left their families on the east coast to travel west into an unknown land. They left knowing that they would not return or see their loved ones again. Yet, they were driven by a vision for a better life that spurred them forward. What they faced was not easy, in fact it was often overwhelmingly difficult. Yet, those who persevered and did not turn back were rewarded for their efforts.

                A very long time ago, God issued a call to Abram to leave his homeland and to travel to an unknown land. God promised him that, if he was faithful, God would bless him in unimaginable ways.

Genesis 12:2-3

 "I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you."

                The journey that Abram embarked upon was a journey of faith. All that he had to go on was a promise from God; a vision of a better future. He was willing to endure many hardships and trials. There were times when he wanted to give up. On several occasions he tried to take things into his own hands and make things work. But in the end, he trusted God and God fulfilled His promise to Abram.

                When Jesus called His first disciples, He called them into a journey of faith. He didn’t give them a roadmap for the journey. Instead he gave them a vision. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:18-19

                Little did these men know what following Jesus would mean. At first, they were drawn by the excitement of following this young Rabbi. Their excitement turned into a solid commitment to the vision that Jesus had given to them.

    From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

    "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

    Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69

                The vision that Jesus had given to them carried them through many trials and hard times. Because of that vision, they were willing to persevere to the end. All but the Apostle John were martyred for their faith. None, save Judas, abandoned the journey.

                Jesus calls us into a journey of faith. He casts a vision of us being the people of God and of transforming our world. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) He doesn’t give us a roadmap for the journey, as much as we desire to have one. Instead, He points us in the right direction and then says, follow me. He warns us that there will be hard times along the way; times that will test our faith and challenge our endurance. But if we will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will overcome every obstacle in our way. It will take courage and perseverance, and above all faith.

Hebrews 12:2-3

    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.