Where Do I Go from Here? A Foreign Land
Robin Davenport, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 ESV
God was calling Abram out from all that was familiar to him, such as his country, kindred, and his father’s house. God had a purpose for this move, in blessing not only Abram but also others. Just one move to the land God was showing Abram would bless all families of the entire earth.
Abram obeyed God’s instruction. Leaving his country, kindred, and father’s house was not easy. Our native country, our family, and our family home is where we feel comfortable, confident, and secure. Abram’s journey involved travel from one place to another. He faced famine, challenges, and a threatening situation from the Egyptians who he feared would kill him to have his beautiful wife, Sarai. Abram made a bad choice in lying to the Egyptians informing them that Sarai was his sister and not his wife.
Throughout this journey, God was with Abram. He provided land, shelter, and provisions for Abram and his family who traveled with him. God reprimanded Abram when he lied about who Sarai was and gave him the opportunity to escape the wrath of Pharoah. This escape was purposed to keep Abram moving forward toward the land and blessing God has purposed for him and the families of the entire earth.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
I wanted to remain in the stillness and familiarity God had provided following our son’s death. God had a purpose for me to move forward and learn how to reenter life without our son’s presence. The Lord’s call on my heart to move forward was gentle, yet persistent. I begged God for direction, but I was resistant to go and felt very insecure in my ability to move forward into this foreign land. A land where life here did not include my son’s presence and a call to a position of leadership that I did not feel equipped to fulfill.
I have worked with adults with developmental disabilities at a day center for most of the past 20 plus years. For nine years prior to my leave of absence to be our son’s caregiver, I was in a middle management role. This role had become familiar to me. I was comfortable in this role. This role felt like home to me.
Just a couple of weeks following our son’s death, I began to hear that the day center where I had worked was in trouble due to the financial effects of Covid. Former co-workers and board members began to reach out to me for assistance in trying to raise funds to keep this vital service from closing. This was God’s tool to give me purpose beyond my grief. My passion for serving individuals with developmental disabilities quickly came to the surface, and I joined the efforts to save this day center.
I thought volunteering was the extent of God’s plan for me in this cause, but He had another purpose. His call was for me to take the role of the center director. Although this day center had been my familiar home for many years, the role of director amid Covid along with continuing to process my grief was a foreign land for me.
The emotional waves of grief in the reality that life went on without my son were overwhelming as I left the stillness of my home and reentered the workforce into a demanding role filled with responsibility. So many times, I have reminded the Lord that He called me to this position, so He will have to help me. Knowing that He has called me to this foreign land has kept me focused and moving forward, even when I have wanted to bolt and return to living in stillness. Seeing the fruit of God’s plan in placing me in this position 12 months ago, leaves me speechless and in awe of His timing and purposes. He has blessed me and others through this journey into a foreign land.
PRAYER
Lord, You do not call the equipped as we see with Abram. You equipped him as he acted on faith and obeyed Your command to leave all that was familiar to him to journey into a foreign land. Just as You equipped Abram, You also equip us when You call us into foreign lands. All You require is obedience and faith that You will fulfill Your purposes as we set our eyes on You. Thank You that although the journey is hard for us, You are a loving Father who does not shield us from the hard stuff. You lead us into the hard stuff and equip us to bear fruit for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Subscribe to Daily Treasure and have devotionals like this one delivered to your inbox.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.