The Effect of Choices
Abraham was tested to see if he would hear the voice of God and obey. The Lord saw that it was not for his best spiritual interest to remain in his country and among his relatives, where he could not exert that influence over them that would be a blessing. He told him to leave them. Abraham was a rich man, but in the greatest simplicity he obeyed God and went out, a sojouner into a strange country.
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Abraham’s story is a powerful example of how choices shape our spiritual lives. When God told him to leave his home and family, it wasn’t because he lacked wealth or security—he had plenty of both. Rather, God saw that staying in that environment wouldn’t be best for his spiritual growth. Abraham’s obedience wasn’t easy, but he trusted that following God was worth more than staying where he was comfortable.
This pattern shows up throughout the Bible. Moses left the luxury of Pharaoh’s palace to follow God’s call. Ruth left her homeland to become part of God’s people. The disciples left their jobs to follow Jesus. In each case, they had to make a choice: stay where things felt familiar or step into the unknown with God.
Abraham’s journey also reminds us that following God often means being a “sojourner”—someone who doesn’t always know exactly where they’re going but trusts that God does. Hebrews 11:8-10 describes Abraham’s faith as going “without knowing where he was going,” yet he believed that God’s promises were worth more than the comfort of staying put.
His story challenges us to consider our own choices. Are we willing to trust God even when it means stepping away from what’s familiar? Do we prioritize spiritual growth over comfort? Abraham’s life shows that when we choose faith, we open the door for God to work in ways we never could have imagined. Eric