When talking about getting out of our comfort zone, one man who continually comes to mind is the biblical man Abraham. His life was defined by his willingness to step out of his comfort zone and trust in God. While there are so many fascinating and empowering things we can learn from this man, today I want to take a quick look at his first encounter with God and how we can be encouraged by his willingness to step up and obey.
In Genesis 12:1-4 we read
The Lord had said to Abram: Go from your country, from your people and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will magnify your name, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse; and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed in you. And Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
Check it out. God told Abraham at the age of 75 to leave his people, his country, even his parents and go to a land that he would show him. Talk about faith and getting out of his comfort zone. God didn’t even tell Abram where he was going. It’s like God told Abraham, start walking and I’ll let you know when you have his! That requires serious faith and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
The best part about Abraham is that he believed in God and did what God told him to do. He left his people, his country, and went where God told him to go. He trusted the vision he was given and God did for him exactly what he said he would do. He hurt him and made him very rich. He made his name very great for him. Abraham is sometimes referred to as the father of faith. Three of the world’s religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have Abraham playing a significant role in their roots. To this day, many people in the world have heard of this man. God not only made him a great nation, but many nations, many peoples descend from Abraham. He got out of his comfort zone, trusted God and did many wonderful things in his life. Like Abraham, if we want to live up to our true potential, we too will have to step out of our comfort zone.
Now I want to ask you, what is it that God has spoken to your heart? What is the vision and destiny that he could be sitting on right now? I can tell you that your vision and your dreams were not made for you to sit on. They were not meant to stay in your head, but were given to you to manifest. In other words, to come true. God has given you the power to create. In fact, right now you are creating. You are creating your own future right now. It is being created right now with faith or doubt. Your future can be the harvest of the dreams and visions that God has placed in your heart and it can also be the harvest of your doubts and fears. I want to encourage you to make your future the result of your faith in what has been placed in your heart. Don’t sit on your talents afraid to come out. Make your future the result of stepping up and believing in your God-given talents and abilities. Make your future the result of living a pure and honorable life, creating a strong legacy for the benefit of yourself and your neighbor, while honoring God.
The blessing that came from Abraham’s obedience did not stop with his own family; all of us are wounded by Abraham. Whether you realize it or not, you are actually hurt by what Abraham did many centuries ago. Moses, King David, the Apostle Paul, Peter, and even Jesus Christ in the flesh were born from the lineage of Abraham.
Yes, we are all blessed through Abraham, but do you have any idea how many people are waiting to be blessed and empowered by the gift and vision within you? Do you have any idea that what is inside you could affect your family, your descendants, your community, even the world for the better? You have been given tremendous ability because God does not create garbage. We are not different from Abraham. God is not a respecter of persons; he is a respect of faith. In fact, we can do even bigger things than Abraham. So, what are you waiting for? Don’t sit on it. Go for it! Trust in God and take a step of faith. Get out of your comfort zone and manifest the good things that God has placed in your heart. You will be a blessing to yourself and to many nations as well.