“That jolt into the unknown is invigorating when the trip is short . . . but when months stretch into years, when foreignness becomes a way of life, it can be deeply disorienting. The disorientation is on a psychic level as much as a physical one — I lose a sense of who I am.”- Tina Boesch
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great, so you will be a blessing.”- Genesis 12:1-2 (ESV)
In Chapter 2 (“Blessing That Frees Us to Follow”) of Given, Tina Boesch observes that foreignness settles deep inside. Hence, it forms an indelible aspect of your identity. Thus, Abram’s call and blessing establishes a new creation. It creates a people who walk with God. In turn, they mediate God’s blessing to all the families of the earth.
Because in the culture of Abram’s time a man with no sons possessed no future. Consequently, God’s almost unbelievable promises broke into Abram’s hopeless reality. Yet, God’s call preceded His promise. So, God predicated a future of living in His blessing on a leaving.
Most noteworthy, God provides no specific details to Abram about where he’s heading Tina explains:
” . . . the call is not primarily about the destination; it’s about the company. God asks [Abram] to walk away from the known into the unknown with him. The focus of the call is not about where Abram is going so much as it is about walking alongside the one who leads the way.”
Furthermore, in essence God calls Abram to leave an identity. As a result, Abram must let go of his socially and culturally constructed identity. Instead, he needs to find his true identity in God.
And, God also directs the demands of his call to Abram to us.
Today’s question: How did your job loss jolt into the unknown cause you to lose a sense of who you are? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A turning of our gaze in the wrong direction”
