“One Foot in Front of the Other”

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1 NLT

I cannot image being in Abraham’s sandals when GOD called him out — literally — to leave his homeland of 75 years and travel to ‘where I will show you.’

Let’s start with that place called, ‘where I will show you.’ How do you put that in your GPS?

I’m not 75 years old (yet), but I am perfectly comfortable where I’ve been living most of my adult life. If GOD were to tell me to uproot and go somewhere that’s not even on the map, I’d be like … huh? But Girlfriend, Abraham didn’t miss a beat. Only three verses later Abraham responded.

So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Genesis 12:4 NLT

Abraham’s response was his action. His action of activated faith. Leaves me speechless. I’m awestruck with humility.

• Have you ever questioned what you heard GOD whisper to you?
• Why did you question what you heard?
• What were the circumstances?
• What was your response?

Turn a few pages forward with me to Genesis chapter 17. It is now 24 years later and Abraham is now comfy and cozy, a ripe 99 years old and Sarah is pushing 90. GOD appears to Abraham by identifying Himself as El-Shaddai — GOD Almighty. In other words, this is Who is about to deliver some news to you, Abraham — which I know you won’t believe!

And like Abraham, I look to my immediate circumstances — physical ability or inability, resources or lack thereof, skill set or empty tool belt — and think that I must’ve heard GOD wrong. Surely, He meant this message for someone else … younger, stronger, smarter, experienced …

Flip over a few more pages to the Book of Exodus chapter 3. Our man Moses, 80 years old, is contently living in Midian and is approached by the same GOD of the universe Who identifies Himself as Yahweh (YHWH), meaning Lord. But this time His announcement starts with a smoky greeting — the appearance of GOD through fire in the burning bush.

After GOD tells Moses that His compassion is to give freedom to the Israelites (verses 1 through 9), GOD immediately informs Moses of his role in the Plan.

Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10 ESV

GOD handpicked his man for the job and that was Moses. There was no, “Do you want to do this, Moses?” Or “I’d like for you to think about this opportunity, Moses …” Straight up to the point, GOD gives the directives.

But Moses, like most of us, shrank back at first mention. I could only let my mind wander how this may have played out.

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 ESV

Moses probably shook while he uttered those first three words: “Who am I?” It’s comforting to know I’m in good company (high five).

Let me admit to you right here and now, Girlfriend, that as a woman of faith, I find it embarrassing (on my part) that I often times do the same. I’ve had my moments of head-scratching-eyebrow-lifting … and uttered, “Seriously, GOD?”

It’s no secret that we are mere mortals when we are bowing to the King of Kings. And when we start to take an eye-level (or better said as: “I level”) inventory of our depleted stock of gifts, capacity and craft, we will most certainly fall far from the bar (if we can see it).

But GOD … when He calls us, He has already set us apart. That means in His infinite wisdom, He had begun the work of qualifying us long before we even knew we were going to have an assignment. It’s not about “who am I,” but rather “Who is I AM.”

He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:12 ESV

Not only did GOD assure Moses that He would accompany him to Pharaoh and out, but GOD also told Moses He knew they would all give Him the praise and glory on the very mountain Moses was now standing on.

Our GOD promises to be with us. Unconditionally. Unequivocally. We don’t have to earn his Presence. He is there whether we realize it or not. Whether we ask Him or not.

I’ve been in the church and in the Word long enough to know that after I splash the cold water over my face, I take it to the Lord in prayer and see if what I heard aligns with His Word. If all the boxes get ‘checked,’ then there’s only one thing left to do.

Rise up. Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat.

Sister, as much as it would be the ideal reveal, GOD may choose not to have a FaceTime or Zoom experience with us to give us all the details in advance. And we have to be okay with that. That’s where the mightiest tool in our belt gets put to use: faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 CSB

Reciting the Bible in its entirety has its advantages, but unless you are able to set loose the faith that is required to apply all that godly wisdom, it’s all head knowledge, Sister. We have to walk out our faith. And like Abraham we may not know where we are going, but we put one foot in front of the other. When GOD sees we’re all comfy and settled in, He just may rock our world again with another opportunity to …

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe God exits and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 AMP

• What areas of your life are you presently needing an increase of faith?
• What steps are you taking to actively learn more about GOD?
• What is one thing that GOD is calling you to trust Him to bring you through?

So this thing we so proudly call ‘faith’ that we display for all the world to see from our tool belt. Is it merely an accessory that associates us with a group? Do we let it stay there and rust? Or do we answer the call of opportunity that challenges us to take it out and activate it by living it?

When GOD calls us out, it’s because He already believes we are the one to walk the Journey. Come with me, Sister …

Rise up. Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Sweet Friend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary