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.” (Genesis 12:1,NIV)
Watching my dad on webcams, and calling every morning at 10, afternoon at 3, and evening at 10 or 11, it was tough seeing my mother fall down on her bed alone every night. This was the only consistent thing I could pray on. I could be sure that this would be all over, and it will be soon.
I can never imagine what would be when I see my uncle on a hospital bed on Walter Reed in DC when he takes chemo. (The Armed Services won’t take chances with him.) There can be a 50-50 chance of survival, in many cases more. There is a chance of uncertainty, of doubt, of fear of our worst expectations coming true.
This is just a case of tough choices my father has to take, starting with the full moving to America in a lightning-bolt speed. What became a summer is now forming into a full life, a life of uncertainty: where as spotty as life would be (and It is!), you’ll never know what God has in store for ya.
Did Abraham think the same when God told him to move from Ur of the Chaldeans? I imagine. But he obeyed the Lord’s voice that made the difference in the creation of His nation, Israel. Would’ve Solomon thought about money before saying wisdom? He could’ve, but he chose something that God would be pleased in. But, could’ve Jesus denied going to the road of the cross for our sins for us? Yes, he could’ve. He is God, He didn’t need to lay down His life for us. But He did that… only for love. What became unsure of what our life would end became a choice: the salvation of our souls.
See? Ages have passed, and humans have made tough choices that recurred to a blind mind and a contrite heart to hear much of the Lord in truth. That the life we life is only one, and our bodies will go to dust is elementary. But what our soul will rest? Or suffer?
This, my friends, is a life of uncertainty. We only come here as travelers, as pilgrims, just as that. We come here making tough choices, like my father had to do for our wellbeing, of ourselves and his brother. Leaving what I can is hard, starting over worse, but something I will always count on:
“I can do everything in Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13,NIV)