Abram went as the LORD directed him.
He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design.
“This is my beloved son, listen to him.”
Three readings, one command: follow the directions of God.
While it seems obvious to me today, I don’t suppose it was any easier for the people of the Bible than it is for me in modern times. Sometimes it just takes a giant leap of faith to do as God directs.
Often it is hard to do as I am told. I think perhaps the one giving the directions doesn’t understand me and my wants and needs. Or maybe it’s as simple as I don’t want to do that thing, or I have my heart set on something else, my plans, not theirs. Surely there is another way, one more suited to me. While all this may be true when another person is trying to order my life, I tend to resist even when the Lord directs me. It’s my life, after all, and shouldn’t I be in charge of it?
When I am nudged by the Lord to take a particular action, I want to believe I know better, or perhaps I try to justify my resistance by questioning whether or not it was really God giving the direction. At the very least, I tear into the idea, determining on my own if it’s something I want to do or not.
‘But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”’ Jesus gently told Peter, James, and John to leave their comfort zone, trust in the Lord, and not be afraid. How much easier said than done! That’s probably the heart of my problem. I don’t want to leave my comfort zone. I don’t want to give up my self-prescribed safety net. I want to have my way because it’s what I know, what I believe in.
How much easier things would be if I could courageously step out into the new country like Abram. How much better off would I be if I could willingly give up my plans in favor of God’s. How much closer to salvation would I be if I would stop trying to be in charge, but listened to Jesus instead. It’s time to put into personal action what I pledged in the responsorial: to place my trust in in my Lord.
Linda Crowley
