October 12

Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev (Genesis 12:9).

Scripture: Genesis 12:5-9

Song: “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”

The Butler University men’s basketball team was always competitive for a smaller program, but they attained a new level of success in the 1990s. They reached the NCAA tournament consistently, and even made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003 and 2007.

But just reaching the tournament was not enough. They worked harder, developed skilled players, and playing against the biggest programs in the country, came within a basket of winning the national championship in 2010.

God called Abram to a special land far away. When he and his family left Ur, his father went to Haran, but God was leading Abram farther. Along the way, he would build altars and worship God, but these were not the destinations God had in mind. Abram kept going as far as God was leading him.

We should see progress in both ministry efforts and internal transformation of our lives when we are working as God intended. We can even meet significant milestones in our journey as markers of our success.

Our journey with God may be long, with periods of rest along the way. However, rest should never be confused with our final destination. Our pilgrimage is not so much a physical journey as a path through life as we allow God to keep working within us. We must keep following God’s leading right into His permanent Sabbath rest.

Heavenly Father, we delight in our journey with You. Lead us into times of movement and rest as needed, setting milestones by Your guidance. In Christ, amen.