Moving Forward

Genesis 11:31

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, Sarai, the wife of Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.  But when they came to Haran, they settled there.

It took weeks to prepare our house to sell.  There were projects to be done, clutter to be disposed of.  Dealing with every little thing was important to have it market ready.   Once it was listed, a steady stream of people ensued.  After two and a half weeks, the new buyer came forward.   

Letting go was difficult.   Did it have to happen so quickly?   We had been there almost 14 years.   It had our handprint all over it.  There were so many memories there.   We had grown to love our neighbors, but we knew God was prompting us to sell it. 

Releasing our possessions is difficult sometimes.  We become attached to them.  If we are not careful, our attachments can keep us from moving forward to the things God has for us.

I was reading in Genesis 11 the other night about Terah, Abraham’s father.  It seems he was on his way to Canaan with Abram (Abraham), Sarai (Sarah), and Lot, Abram’s nephew, when they got to Haran and settled there.  It doesn’t say that God told Terah to go to Canaan, but I find it fascinating that is where he was headed.

In the next chapter we are told that the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”  In verse 5 it says they set out for the land of Canaan and they arrived there.  So obviously God shed more light as they moved forward. 

I wonder how often we settle because we are comfortable and content when God wants to give us so much more. 

This story challenges me to not hold on too tightly to anything but release everything to God so I can be rightfully positioned.