Abraham Didn’t Have a Road Map

The following is an excerpt from my latest book, The Way Back From Loss:

“It’s a more certain proposition to follow the Lord, not knowing where you are going, than to think you know where you’re going and you’re not following the Lord.”^{^[i]} —Jack Hayford

Today’s Verse: “God said to Abraham, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and go to the land I will show you.’” (Acts 7:3 NCV)

We have so much at our fingertips today that helps us find our way. GPS and Internet sites like Google Maps give us instant directions from point A to point B at our fingertips or with a few simple clicks of a mouse.

These gadgets set expectations in our minds. We don’t venture out without first making sure we have specific directions on the upcoming route. We think we need every step covered.

This thinking is the opposite of true faith.

Loss causes a feeling of being out of control. The usual signposts and familiar landmarks may not be there for us to see the path before us clearly. We drift and we run into walls as we try to find where we’re going and how to get there. We’re lost on the streets of our loss.

It is impossible to progress and move forward unless we have the faith to face God and take each step holding His hand. When we don’t have His hand, we aimlessly wander with no real direction or purpose. When we do, the walls tumble down and the road becomes clearer. Like Abraham, we keep moving forward with a determined faith and spirit.

Abraham didn’t know what was ahead of him. He knew and believed God. He left behind everything—family, friends, and memories. Some say he lost to gain everything.

Abraham didn’t have a road map. He didn’t have total control. He had the God of the Universe and His promise to “show” him where He wanted him to go. Abraham chose to stand on God’s promise.

God doesn’t always spread out before us our life journey. He doesn’t always give us access to His special GPS. He simply asks that we have faith in Him. He simply asks us to put all of our questions at the feet of Jesus and go where He tells us to go—emotionally, spiritually, and, yes, sometimes physically, as he told Abraham.

No control, no turn-by-turn list of directions, simply faith that He will show us, even when we’re in the depths of our loss without a road map.

INSIGHT: Even though God does not show you a complete road map of your life that explains every twist and turn, you can still come to Him in faith, take His hand, and let Him lead.

PRAYER: Ask God to forgive your doubts and fears. Ask Him to take away your unbelief and anything that separates you from Him.

LIFE CHOICES:

Study 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Why do you think the apostle Paul felt he could boast about his weaknesses? When was he the most strong? Do you think he had a road map, or did Paul travel with the promise of God, just like Abraham?
Understand that you may never know the answers or the whys behind your loss. He may not show you all the answers. He may not show you what lies ahead. The Lord will be faithful to you if you choose to take His hand, in full surrender, and yield your need of control.
Discover that Christ is the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Despite your desire to know every turn in the road ahead, when you let go, in faith, you’ll discover freedom.

^{^[i]} Jack Hayford, Pursuing the Will of God, (Colorado Springs, Multnomah Press, 1997), eBook edition