“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
Some years ago, Sport Illustrated published a profile of Bill McCartney, who had just resigned as head football coach of the University of Colorado. You may recall, McCartney was the founder of the Christian men’s movement known as “Promise Keepers”. In the article McCartney said that he quit coaching to spend more time with his wife and to work more for the Lord.
The author of the article found that reasoning a little difficult to swallow. He wrote, “What man gives up such power and prestige? What man walks out on a $350,000 a year contract with ten years remaining, so he can spend time with his wife and his God?” (A little reminder that $350,000 for a football coach in 1994 was a pretty good salary.) The author used such terms as “radical”, “out of his head”, “consumed”, and of course, “a religious zealot”.
According to this article, apparently the zeal that is such an asset for football coaches, is considered a liability when it comes to faith in the Lord. In other words, a little bit of God is acceptable, but a determination to seek God’s will at all costs makes one a little crazy.
There are many examples in Scripture of people taking that leap of faith and going a little crazy by seeking God’s will and following Him. One of the best examples is Abraham. In Hebrews it reads, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb 11:8)
So, what was it that made this 75-year-old man leave his country, his people, and his father’s household, and go to a different land? According to Genesis 12:1-3, it tells us that God told Abram to go and He would bless him. God would make of him a great nation. The point is, God simply spoke to him and Abram went. That’s pretty crazy.
Of course, we don’t know how God spoke to Abram. Was it in a loud, clear voice, or in a dream or vision, or in that still, quiet voice in his heart? We don’t know. But somehow, in some way, God spoke to Abram.
Now, what ties this to faith is what happened next. The very first thing that Abram did was listen. Think about that. When you are in prayer, or reading or studying Scripture, or in worship, do you ever just calm your spirit, open your heart and simply listen to the Lord? We need to listen.
It doesn’t end with listening though. As Abram shows us, after the listening comes the action. The word “faith” is most definitely an action verb. Verse 4 states, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”
Okay, does that sound crazy? Maybe, to some; maybe to many. But ask yourself, are you willing to go a little crazy? Are you willing to act when God speaks to you? Are you willing to uproot everything and follow the lead of the One who loves you more than anyone could ever love you; the One who died and rose for you; the One who has blessed you with forgiveness and life and has given you an inheritance that far exceeds the one that Abraham had in this world?
Obviously, things won’t always be clear. But what I want you to think about is, are you willing to act on what you do know about God’s will? Do you have the faith to go a little crazy?
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Keith Enko