That one day

Today I am imagining Abram, standing out in his father’s field surrounded by livestock. He was just doing life as a shepherd in Haran, and all of a sudden, from out of nowhere, God leaned in and gave Abram some instruction.  I imagine Abram remembered for the rest of his life, that one day.

Here’s the instruction from Genesis 12:1(niv):

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

I’ve been pondering this one verse for several days, and asking Holy Spirit for insight.  “What is it about this particular verse that has caused me to pause and to wonder?  Jesus, my eyes are on You, and I am asking, ‘what do You want me to know about this?'”

This is one particular way I have learned to intentionally practice His presence.  I read a passage of scripture and as a particular word or phrase or idea seems to catch in my heart I ask Jesus for illumination by the Light of Holy Spirit.  As I’m asking, I’m pondering on words, and I am allowing my imagination to make a picture of the scene in my mind.

The first six words stuck with me at first.  “The LORD had said to Abram…”

Possibly you will allow your mind to wander and wonder how this scenario played out.  Maybe go back and read the last verse of Genesis 11 and then go forward to read the first five verses of Genesis 12.  Then let your imagination paint a picture in your mind of Abram.  Be aware of all of your senses.

What do you see?  Hear?  Feel?  Smell?  Taste?

Imagine God meeting Abram in that place on that one day.  How do you suppose God made his instructions known to Abram?  It’s fascinating, isn’t it, if we think about Abram as real man who lived with his father’s household, had a wife and people working for him, who tended livestock for a living, and that one day God leaned into Abram’s world with an assignment.

Can you imagine?

Or what about the day Jesus came walking along the Sea of Galilee, approached Andrew and Simon with fishing nets in their hands, and suggested they leave their lives behind to follow Him?  Surely, for the rest of their days, they remembered that one day!

Can you imagine?

I hope so.  I hope you have had that one day in your life when the LORD leaned in and called you to Himself.  What was it like?  Where were you?  What were the events taking place around you?  And how did He make Himself known to you?  What was it He was asking you to drop and leave behind?  Have you?  Are you willing…to leave all you know as familiar and follow Jesus?

DO IT SCARED!

My hope, actually my prayer, for all who are reading this post is that you will share that one day here or with someone you encounter today.  I’m asking Holy Spirit for an encounter today with someone.  You’ll meet them and you will just know you are supposed to share with them that one day.

I know most of us are shy about sharing publicly, so I ask Jesus for boldness for you.  And even if your inclination is to allow fear to stop you, I am going to challenge you (as I often say) – ‘do it scared’!

Perhaps you’ll come back and tell us about it.  Perhaps that one day is today!

Can you imagine?

Eyes on Jesus and Shine, friend!