You have seen them. They are sitting in the vehicle parked in the fast-food restaurant lot, just off the highway. The car’s engine is running; made obvious by wispy smoke coming from the engine’s tailpipe.
A man, a woman, a couple of kids. Maybe a dog. Each eating their meal. Not the dog. It’s usually sleeping. The out-of-state vehicle tags confirming it: Folks heading somewhere.
That is my family. Self-described destination people. Whether the first leg of a trip traveling to visit family for the holidays or returning back home again, we are all about the place to which we are going. Our goal is being there.
My best girlfriend was a journey gal. She loved detours. Oh, her family got to where they were going. But a six-hour trip could easily become eight, improved only by a roadside excursion touring the world’s biggest ball of baler twine, the largest rocking chair, or a Great Lake’s sand dune.
We destination folks focus on the last stop. Breaks are limited, and those we do take are short in duration, which explains eating our meals in the car parked in a fast-food lot. We are skilled scoping out at a distance the best restroom facilities, the shortest drive-thru lines, and the fastest gas pumps. Journey people take it in stride; their eyes peeled for what is coming next as they are getting there.
Abraham’s Journey. Reaching Destination’s End.
When God calls Abram to leave Haran, the story of a man unfolds — a promised land, a promised people, and the response of faith (Genesis 12:1-3). At first look, it may appear that Abram’s call is about the place he is going to: “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you’.” Ahhh, keep reading.
We are not told how much time transpires between Abram’s response “setting out from Haran” and “they arrived there” (Genesis 12:4-5). But those 425 miles to physically arrive in the land of Canaan, to the place to which Abram was called, is but the beginning of an enduring 100-year journey.
Remarkable experiences merged within the lulls of everyday living. Detours, trials and tests focusing not on what seems impossible, but on what is possible only through the one true God.
Decisions to wait. Others made in haste. Big messes, with even bigger fixes. And miles and miles developing obedience and trust.
In the journey, Abram fully experiences the ever-present, sovereign God as Promise Keeper. Not some bogus magical genie that appears for a time, grants a wish or so, and retreats. But the real, loving God, who is intimately involved as His words are fulfilled through people in His time and in His way.
Abram comes to know personally the God who knows all things, the God who desires to be known by His people.
Through Abram’s journey, retold in the Old Testament book of Genesis, we also discover God. We meet the One who does the calling (Genesis 12), the One who pours out blessings on those who trust and obey (Genesis 12-25). The One who faithfully protects (Genesis 12, 14). A just God, who in His compassion, befriends (Genesis 18), who knows us by name and actually sees us (Genesis 16).
We witness the I Am, trustworthy in growing His children (Genesis 22), patiently restoring in failures (Genesis 20). The One who understands heartache and grief, who comforts (Genesis 21, 23). The immutable God who does not change; because in His absolute perfection, He always works for the good of His people.
As for Abram, he does change. No longer “exalted father” advancing and pleasing himself, but Abraham, “the father of many nations” who learns that God is El Shaddai, God Almighty.
It was a lot of years and a lot of miles, an amazing journey of hope and grace experienced in God. The same hope and grace on which we all still depend today in a world of bad news, poor choices, lapses in judgment, and wrong behavior. God’s grace that knows no limitations, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1-3).
To borrow from Bible teacher Eugene Peterson, Abraham’s journey was one long obedience in the same direction. A journey bringing him to his destination’s end: “By faith … longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:8-16).
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou are mighty; Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven. Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.