“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1)
By faith Abraham and Sarah obeyed when they were called to set out for a place that they were to receive as an inheritance; and they set out, not knowing where they were going (based on Hebrews 11:8)
A couple of times, travelling overseas, when I said I was from Australia, people would reply “Oh, isn’t that amazing – you Australians always make travel seem easy… I’ve always wanted to visit Australia – but it’s so far away!”
I used to reply that Australians didn’t have much choice – if they wanted to see the rest of the world. But despite the myth that Australians are inveterate travellers, only around half of us own a passport. And I must admit that in those early days of travel, I used to feel definite relief once the plane landed back in Australia.
We seem to be pretty happy and content, mostly, to stay in our own shores. And in our homes.
The travels of Sarah and Abraham, an example of faith held up to the struggling infant church in the biblical book of Hebrews, are very different from our own tourist wanderings. It doesn’t appear that Sarah and Abraham were fleeing from persecution in the land of Ur, but they did indeed set out for a promised land – a better place, a better home – at the call of God. Day by day, living in tents, always on the move. And we are told that they never lost hope or trust in God – even though they never lived to see the promise!
They learnt to deal and live with the ‘never quite home’ feeling in their life together with God. How does that feel? There are many in Australia that could tell us how that feels - for example the story of Karim who left Afghanistan - Karim's story. While Karim is settled here in Australia, he still lives with the unsettling worry for family and friends still living in Afghanistan.
Living in faith - even if we have a comfortable home, loving family and friends - seems to require living with vulnerability and uncertainty – not an unrealistic over the top confidence. And if we live with this vulnerability and uncertainty, it is more than likely we will be motivated to act to make it possible for others to have homes, surrounded by family and friends.
The God of Sarah and Abraham, our God, calls us to work with Christ in this world, travelling and following to the home being made for us at our life’s end. So may we live faithfully – and ask for our God to disturb us if we are too comfortable and to comfort us with hope and faith when we most need it.
Blessings
Ceri
