Read to Read
Again…
Daily Reading: Genesis 22-24
Genesis 24:27
And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
Abraham’s unnamed servant had an unenviable task. He was to find a wife for Isaac. Who would want that job? He was given all the resources to accomplish the task, he had servants traveling with him, he had ten camels laden with precious things, and he had a general idea of the location where he might find a bride for Abraham’s son. But who? He didn’t know. What should she look like, what kind of personality should she have, should she be strong outgoing and gregarious, or meek, mild, and temperate? How exactly is one man supposed to pick out a wife for another man? It seemed impossible.
But once again, and as will be proven many times over throughout the reading of the Bible, things that are impossible with man are possible with God. How did this servant accomplish this great, impossible, and frankly unfair job he was given?
He got in the way! Yeah, he just started. On his own admission, as he spoke with Laban, Rachel’s brother, he simply started by …being in the way. He got busy. There are many who have great responsibilities thrust upon them that fail largely because they just simply don’t start working. I’m reminded of the two business owners having lunch one day. One owner asked the other, “How many people do you have working for you?” To which he replied, “About half!” How true this is.
In college I read a short story that I think was entitled “Bring me Garcia.” It was about a military operation of the most secret classification. A group of highly trained troops were secretly inserted into a hostile nation. They were to undertake a daring and dangerous mission. Their plans were so secret that no one knew the particulars of even where they were. However, new intel was obtained, and the mission had to be aborted immediately. Not knowing where they were, having no way to reach them. The commander called in Garcia. He was to find these commandos and stop the mission immediately. He didn’t know where they were, but some days later ended up on the other side of the nation with the mission aborted and the clandestine soldiers with him. How? Don’t know, but he must have started by starting; just getting in the way.
As this servant got in the way…The Lord led him. Consider an illustration at our church, the Friendly Lane Baptist Church. This past summer we experienced arguably the greatest Super Summer Sunday School program ever. It was a summer long program called Camp GottagetintotheWord. It almost tripled our children’s attendance, many of which are still faithfully attending. But when we started this fictitious summer camp program we had nothing. But we all “got in the way” and the Lord led us. The only secret was, we started and worked and God blessed.
Whatever your impossible dream, desire, or job that is thrust upon you know this. Just as Ecclesiastes 5:3 states: For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. The multitude of business starts at the beginning, which is simply getting into the way. Then just stand back and watch the Lord lead.
The only thing needed to accomplish the impossible with God is to get started! Abraham’s servant illustrates this truth, enjoy his story… it’s amazing!
William T. Howe Ph.D.
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