trauma, trials and wonder

Sunday March 16^th, Genesis 12: 1 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. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." This was the beginning of the book of Genesis before the addition of the stories of creation, fall and flood.  It starts with a man led by God.  Abram, go where God will show you.  Abram, trust this God who is out ahead of you, leading you on to a plan already set in motion.  How would your life be different if you did the same and followed God on a path you did not know?  What paths would your life take from where you are right now if you followed God’s plan for you?  How do you know it is God’s plan and not just some inner desire looking for an avenue of justification?  “Honey, God told me to buy a Harley and tour the lower 48 next year while you work and take care of the kids,” is probably not from God.   “Honey, lets pray about how God is calling us to be more involved in making this community a better place for all children, not just ours” would fit a bit closer to what the Bible tells us would be God’s leading.  God’s leading is rarely about escape from the cares of this world, and most often about diving in and tackling the cares of this world.  When the deep sense of Joy starts to sink in, you know you are getting close to the path God has in mind for you.  It will not be all roses and glory.  All you have to do is read a bit of the story of Abraham to see that, but in the midst of the ups and downs, the trauma, trials and wonder is that unshakable sense of joy in your soul and you just know you couldn’t be anywhere else.