ABRAHAM: Walking ahead of God - get-up-and-go faith
Abraham is one of the super heroes of the Bible. His presence hovers over the entire Bible and if we recall that he is the spiritual ancestor of some 2.4 billion Christians, 1.6 billion Muslims and 13 million Jews then we might say he was one of the most influential people that ever lived.We remember Abraham as the man of great faith, but something strikes me about Abraham that was fundamental even to his faith and is vital to understanding him -- as per this week's theme -- as an overcomer. I am thinking of Abraham's mind set.
Abraham had a 'can do' attitude to life. He was a true overcomer not just because of his faith in God but because his was a 'get up and do it' approach. God called and Abraham responded. He dreamed dreams but he knew how to translate dreams into reality. For sure he had faith but he did not wait around waiting for things to happen. He didn't dilly dally. He didn't mess around. He got off his butt and went for it. "Leave your land, your birthplace, your father's house and go to the land I will show you... So Abraham left..."
Abraham was a passionate man and he made mistakes -- many of them -- but it is better to try things -- and possibly fail - than to sit passively at home with every good intention, waiting for the Spirit to move, and achieving nothing.
Abraham dreamed, he listened, he responded, he went forth. It was a breath taking decision to set out in the way he did. To his relatives it might have seemed cousin Abraham was out of his mind, but notice what God says to Abraham, "Walk ahead of Me and be perfect."
That gives us a wonderful insight into Abraham's temperament and mind set. Noah, we are told, walked with God. Abraham, we are told, walked ahead of Him. Abraham was adventurous. He took risks. He pushed the boundaries. And God loved it. Maybe that is why his spiritual descendants, the Jews, are such a phenomenal people.
| "Leave your land, your birthplace, your father's house and go to the land I will show you... So Abraham left, as the Lord had told him." (Genesis 12:1-4) "... the Lord appeared to Abraham and said, 'I am God Almighty, walk ahead of Me... '" (Genesis17:1) |
James Gray is the Pastor of the Hermanus United Church. He is married to Mariette.
