Pastor's Corner
July 2006
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Hebrews 11:8
Dear Church Family,
In Genesis 12 we are introduced to the patriarch Abraham. He is living in a place called Haran. God speaks and tells him to leave there, to leave his “country” and his relatives and his father’s house and go to a land (Canaan) that God will show him. Genesis 12:4 simply says “so Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him”. The response is immediate, complete and apparently whole-hearted! The author of Hebrews, repeating the story, tells us that Abraham “went out not knowing where he was going”. Specifically Abraham did not know the exact place he would end up. In general terms he only knew the land of Canaan. So he went in obedience to God.
I thought of this great Biblical story lately as I’ve watched several of our families and individuals have to move out of our area and church. Recently one of those commented that one of the hardest things to do (in moving) was to leave Ustick Baptist Church! In a sense that encouraged me! My hearts desire is that we would be a church of relationships; a community of commitment where Christians are connected and belonging and not just coming! It “pleases me” that people will miss that! However, I am of course saddened for their loss in leaving us and saddened for us in losing them! Which brings me back to Abraham. My hope and prayer for any whom God leads away is that they will sense the presence of God in that move. Most “know where they are going” but they don’t know all that will greet them there. What friends will be made? What adventures will they encounter? What new church fellowship will they enter into that will preach the Word, encourage their spiritual walk and put them into service for the kingdom of God? They don’t know but what they (and all of us) should know is that they are going by faith, as Abraham.
So as we come and go as Christians we take heart from the story of Abraham. We go in obedience to God. We walk by faith even as we leave the familiar to embrace the unknown. We “go with God” every step of the way! Saying “goodbye” to some dear folks of our fellowship is hard but it is made bearable by our common faith in God’s perfect plan. We pray for those like one of our senior citizens, Eleanor Parker, who has had to move to Oregon due to health issues and to be closer to family. How hard to leave friends and familiarity in this community! How hard to leave a church family who loved and cared so much for you and whom you loved and cared for so much! But again we trust in the Lord and His guidance and care!
If I had my “druthers” we’d never have any of the dear people of Ustick leave! Everyone should just stay put! Obviously the Lord has other plans and I need to trust Him as we “lose” such precious, precious people. I need to remember the call of Abraham and his obedience to that call! I do allow myself some sadness though as God scatters His servants. I also take comfort in the fact that this Sunday an “Abraham and Sarah” might walk through our doors from another place where another Pastor was sad to let them go! Indeed, God moves His people!
Serving with you,
