You are Abraham--Gen. 12

"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from they father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." Gen. 12:1

The builders of Babel were scattered like grass seed in a strong wind. And with each one of their companies went the idolatry and apostasy.

And, albeit sadly, God turned from the greater population of the earth. He left them in their rebellion and sin, and entrusted one with the message, the faith, the hope of a Redeemer to come. One.

Abram.

One in a thousand: a pure, faithful, and godly man in the midst of a family who professed religion and yet worshiped "other gods" as well. Bound to home by ties that were strong, yet not so strong as His connection with heaven.

And when God said, "go," he went.

Just like that. But it wasn't easy.

"It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him. There were strong ties to bind him to his country, his kindred, and his home. But he did not hesitate to obey the call. 

"He had no question to ask concerning the land of promise--whether the soil was fertile and the climate healthful; whether the country afforded agreeable surroundings and would afford opportunities for amassing wealth. God has spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be." (PP 126)

The happiest place on earth. Happiest. It had nothing to do with who was there, what the weather was like, what opportunities there were to be had. All that mattered was that he was where God wanted him.

Ouch. 

How often has my happiness depended on everything but...?

And then... "Many are still tested as was Abraham."

"They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His Word and the events of His providence.

"They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice.

"God has a work for them to do; but a life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment. He calls them away from human influences and aid, and leads them to feel the need of His help, and to depend upon Him alone, that He may reveal Himself to them." PP 127

I've been called to a strange country. Different customs, different people, different language. Very little here is familiar. Faces, names, places: all is strange. Foreign. Even scary. Hard, trying; a trial, a struggle.

Why am I here? What do I think I'm doing in the mission field when I have so many faults to overcome?

I am reminded: God does not refine worthless stones.

I'm here because God called. And, by extension, because being home would hinder the development of the very traits God needs to be manifest in me. Being surrounded by a network of friends and family who love me, who care, who want to be there, would get in the way. God wants me to feel His love through that of others--but I have a few things to learn first that can't be learned in that atmosphere.

Suddenly, a lot of things make a whole lot of sense.

But this doesn't just stop with a frightened, tried, struggling missionary learning big lessons in the jungles of Thailand.

This extends to the world.

And, more exactly, to YOU.

"Who is ready at the call of Providence to renounce cherished plans and familiar associations?

"Who will accept new duties and enter untried fields, doing God's work with firm and willing heart, for Christ's sake counting his losses gain?

"He who will do this has the faith of Abraham, and will share in that 'far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,' with which 'the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared.' " PP 127

There you have it.

You are being called. Where? I don't know. When? I don't know that either.

But I know who. You.

And I know why. God needs you.

And He needs to teach you, just like He's been teaching me.

Look in the mirror.

YOU are Abraham.

Lord God, make me Abraham. Give me his faith. And continue to teach me.