Day Ten: The Test of Faith and Obedience (Genesis 22)

"Some time later, God tested Abraham's faith.

'Abraham!' God called.

'Yes,' he replied. 'Here I am.'

'Take your son, your only son-- yes, Isaac, whom you love so much--
and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.'

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his serants with him, along with his som, Isaac..."

Genesis 22:1-3, NLT
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Sometimes I have to focus reeeeally hard to pull something out of my daily reading.

And then there are days like today, where the story hits a little too deeply...
and at just the right time.

This blog has turned out a little more real and raw than I imagined, so I might as well share.

Last night marked the death of a dream of mine. A dream that began two and a half years ago. It was my baby. I thought for sure it was the way up and into a promise-fulfilled that God had spoken into my life years prior.

Until God told me to kill it. 

Now, obviously I'm not as faith-filled as Abraham, who got up "the next morning" in obedience.

Because that was a month ago.

Surely I must be hearing you wrong, God.
Nope.

You see, sometimes God gives you an "Isaac". A long-awaited promise.
A dream.
A ministry.
A blessing.

And you love your "Isaac", fiercely.
You are grateful for it.
You take care of it.

And then God asks you to lay it on the altar. 
When God instructed Abraham, Isaac was his only living hope at seeing God's promise prevail.

Why?
Because he wants to know if He still has your heart. 
He wants to know if you truly trust that He has the best intentions for you.
He wants to know if you will walk in obedience to Him no matter what.

Sometimes, He provides a lamb in the thicket. You get to keep your Isaac.

But other times, He asks you to sacrifice "Isaac", trusting that "The One Who called you is faithful and will do what He promised." (1 Thessalonians 5:24). 

And that's where I'm at. 

Even though my head tells me, "All signs point to the fact that this was God's will."
And experience says, "God must have a better plan in all of this!"
My heart still cries quietly at the death of this dream.

And so, I lied in bed last night, my words few.
"I'm just not sure what God is doing in my life."

But, my soul resolves to trust in Him...
That He is good.
And His promises remain.
And His love is unchanging,
even through the change.

Dwelling in Him,