Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country,
your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
It’s
not easy being a first-generation immigrant. When you come into a new land as a
foreigner, there are so many fresh things to learn that they begin to overwhelm
you pretty quickly. New customs, methods, and ways bombard you night and day
until you become exhausted or anxious about the move. You feel as though you’re
in the wrong place and want to go back to where friends, food, and fun were all
so familiar. You worry about the future and fret over how long it will take to acquaint
yourself with the people, places, and patterns that everyone else seems to
know. You feel isolated and vulnerable, insecure and valueless. It’s a hard
day-by-day, month after month experience. It takes a lot of time, at least a
couple of years, to begin to feel confident again. And even after decades of
living in the new country, you’re always aware that you are an outsider, a
foreigner, and an immigrant. It never leaves you or lets you go.
When
I read about the command that God gave to Abram, it makes me wonder if the
patriarch went through some similar experiences.
Perhaps Sarai didn’t want to move, or maybe Abram’s family tried to talk him
out of it. He must have had a lot of faith in God’s words but I think there would
have been some moments of doubt in his mind and heart. However, no matter what
Abram, Sarai or the rest of their family felt, they eventually did get up and
go as God commanded.
Being
called to another country and doing what God wanted started a new journey of
faith in Abram and Sarai’s life, as well as for their descendants. By obeying
God’s call, they put in motion the process of three major religions in the
world – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. May we never forget that it all began
with a family of immigrants moving to a new land.
Points to
ponder
Have there been
any immigrants in my own family? How did their choices affect my life today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for
the history of Your people and for the obedience of Abram and Sarai. Their positive
response to God’s call has given us the opportunity to have faith in You. Bless
us with Your presence and lead us each day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Today’s image is one of John’s Nativity drawings called “Undocumented.”
If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Nativity.
John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org or find us on Facebook.
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