Are you Lost?

Just a little while ago, Kendall was in a desperate search for a toy that he had misplaced.  After several minutes of looking, he commented to me, "Well, Him got lost."  I chuckled at his honesty, and thought quite a bit about that statement.  How many times have I gotten "lost" myself?  Lost in needs that call for my attention.  Lost in duties and responsibilities.  Lost in fear or anxiety.  Then, God finds me in my "lost" state and draws me back to Himself.  Suddenly, all becomes clear in the light of His presence.  He brings focus and clarity to all and in all. 

As I continued our study on Abraham, I had hit a wall.  Perhaps all the events of this past week had caused me to pause and consider more what direction God would have me study and write about in the past few days.  Suddenly, in light of this simple conversation with my three year old, all became perfectly clear to me.... join me in Genesis 20.

"Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.” In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’” Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.” Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah." (Genesis 20:1-18 NLT)

You may be thinking to yourself, didn't we do this lesson already?  I have a feeling God had the same feeling!  Abraham once again gets lost in the fear of being killed for his bride, Sarah, and has her lie for him.  When he did that just a few years before, God had to step in and yet, again, that happens.  God protects Sarah and keeps her from being hurt or "used" by Abimelech .  While Abraham had witnessed God at work in his life previously, he still finds himself lost in a fear that blinded him to God's faithfulness.  As a result, he returns to his old thought pattern as well as his old way of dealing with problems.

My friend, if Abraham- our great faith walking hero- could struggle with getting lost in fear and problems, then why do we wonder when we do the same thing?  He was human just like us and struggled with obeying his Father in all things.  I can relate to that!  It brings me peace to know that while Abraham struggled, God still chose him to be the Father of His Chosen People.  God wants people who are desperate for growing in Him - not those embracing illusions of a false self-sufficiency.  Desperately in need will always draw closer to Him and be more easily "shaped" and "molded" for His purpose.  That is an encouragement to me- how about you?  God uses us when we desperately seek after His will and purpose for our life.  We will fail, but then, we return to Him.  It's not about perfection, but about a growing reflection of Him within.

Today, if you are feeling "lost" in a sea of issues and struggles, turn to Him.  Desperately seek His presence and watch for the growing reflection of His character within you.  He shapes those He plans to use so, find joy in the process!