Arise and Go

An encounter with the Living God is a powerful thing. In fact, it can be life-altering. At least it was for a man named Abram.

Prior to his introduction to God, Abram lived in the pagan land of Ur. He probably worshiped the sun. He had it all, including a wife so beautiful men would kill for. In essence, Abram was living an ancient form of the American Dream . . . lots of servants . . . lots of camels . . . lots of stuff. From all appearances, Abram was settled and satisfied . . . content and comfortable.

That is until God showed up.

Scripture doesn’t tell us how God appeared to Abram. It only says God spoke. And when God opened His mouth He did two things. He issued a command. And He made a promise.

The command was “arise and go.” Although the promise contained many elements, it was essentially a promise to use Abram to make God’s name great.

Abram was invited to become an active participant in the story of God.

In an instant a life was changed . . . a path was altered. And, armed with only a command and a promise, Abram began his journey with God; a journey into the unknown . . . a journey away from the Dream . . . a journey toward the unsettled and uncomfortable.

I too have had an encounter with the living God. I have been invited to participate in His story. I have been asked to join Him in the unknown. I have been given a command and I have been given a promise:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

An encounter . . . a command . . . a promise . . . an unmistakable desire to “arise and go.”

Like Abram, I’m not completely sure where my journey with God will take me. I only know I’ve decided to get up and go. I’ve decided to claim His promise. I’ve decided to become an active participant in the story of God. I’ve decided to allow my encounter with the Living God to change my life.

Have you had an encounter with the Living God? Have you allowed that encounter to alter your path? Have you heard God speak? Has He issued a command? Has He spoken a promise? Is there a desire to “arise and go?”

If so, welcome to the unknown. Welcome to the story of God. Welcome to the journey. Who knows where God will take us . . .