Earlier this month, I decided to join Clare on the adventure of reading through the Bible in a Year and have journeyed through Genesis in the last couple weeks.
One verse stuck out to me from all the rest. I started Chapter 22 one night and stopped at verse 1...
Some time after these events, God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!”
“Ready!” he replied.
“Ready!” he replied.
I was in awe.
God called Abraham’s name and Abraham simply said “ready!”
He didn’t ask what God wanted first.
He didn’t say, “Just a minute—let me finish what I’m doing.”
Just “ready!”
With an exclamation point.
He trusted and revered God that much.
Me? Sometimes I tend to be more the “just a minute” type. Like, I’ll pray after this TV show or after washing these dishes. I’ll call this friend in need after I tend to my own needs first.
And when I get put to the test, the last thing that comes to my mind is that I’m ready. Maybe resignation. Sighing. Breathing a prayer for grace. But rarely a chipper “ready!”
Yet God is calling us, every day, to live and love for Him. To speak with Him in prayer. To serve Him in our neighbor. To respond to those nudges of grace.
It’s a new year. The perfect time for resolutions. Abraham had an incredible heart of faith, open to the Father’s will even in the unknown. I want that. And I want that for you, too. Perhaps you’ll join me in resolving to be more open and trusting in the way I seek God and respond to Him each day.
Are you ready?
Oh wow...that's amazing! Some translations say, "Here I am." When Abraham says "Here I am" here is basically saying, "Here I am Lord, ready to do whatever you want me to do." He is saying..."The answer is yes...now what is the question?"
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful is that? What a reminder!
I don't know if you have read this, Laura (I'm a Laura too, by the way! Nice name!) but an incredible girl named Katie Davis wrote a book called "Kisses From Katie". She wrote a blog post recently on (in)courage called "When You Think You Are Not Ready". It is very good, and your post completely meshes with it! :)
http://www.incourage.me/2012/01/when-you-think-you-are-not-ready.html
Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
This is so true -- and something I struggle with as well. As in the Gospel reading today, Jesus called the fishermen to follow him. And they dropped their nets immediately. Totally willing and trusting in Jesus. It's a great reminder that we can't be sucked in with the cares of this world, but that we remember what is truly important, and be aware and ready to answer God's call.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
~~Liz
Ooh, thanks for the link, Laura! I'm going to go check that out right now! :)
ReplyDelete