Go!

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 love the old Western movies, especially the ones that have wagons heading over the Oregon Trail. Those early pioneers of the West must have been amongst the bravest of souls on earth. To cross the wide Mississippi and head over the high Rockies in search of a new life must have taken a great deal of courage, grit, and perseverance. I don’t know how they managed to survive those long trips, but their character, determination and strength still lives on in many Americans today.

I think Abram must have been made of the same stuff. And Sarai, his beautiful wife, must have been a brave soul, too. To think that in their old age, they both set out on a long journey, not knowing where they were bound, is mind-boggling. Abram’s faith was simple and pure, unquestionable and completely reliable. He truly deserves to be called the Father of many nations because his obedience to God is a strong foundation for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We are all Abraham’s children.

Paul also comments on this kind of faith. He challenges his readers to go out into the world, preaching the gospel and sharing the good news. He reminds the local churches that their function is to equip and send members into the wider community so that others may hear about Jesus, so that others may be saved.

Today, we are all commanded to “Go” by God, to live out the gospel wherever we abide, work and visit. There’s a whole world of people, young and old, just waiting for the good news in their lives, but, as Paul states, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”

It’s our mission to go out into the world and help others come to God. We are His messengers; we are His servants; we are His pioneers.

Prayer: Almighty God, send Your Spirit into our lives, so that we may go into our community proclaiming the good news through our work, words and deeds. Teach us to take every opportunity of expressing our faith in ways that will not intimidate or repel others. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.