I think we’ve all seen documentaries about animals in the wild. The mother bird lays her eggs in the nest and waits for them to hatch. She sits there keeping them warm and protecting them from danger.
The day finally comes when you see one of the small heads poking out through the egg. First, there’s one, then two, or perhaps three. The small fragile birds are so helpless that they depend on their mother for everything.
Many bird species have the mother and father taking turns hunting for food and bringing it back to the nest. The hungry birds seem to beg for the food to be placed in their small beaks.
Time passes and the birds are now larger. They have gotten so large that they are almost too big to all fit in the nest. They don’t know it yet, but it’s almost time for them to leave the nest. However first, they must be able to learn their first crucial lesson, they have to learn to fly.
Oftentimes, the birds start by mimicking their parents. They will flap their wings in the nest. Most are afraid to take the first leap. However, it seems to always be one of the bunch, who is the most courageous, and they will take the first leap. The other two birds watch the first bird take the leap, and it is as they watch one another as to who will go next. Then the second bird decides to take the leap, and then there is one bird left in the nest.
Birds one and two, have leaped and flew back into the nest, but the last bird is too afraid to take its first leap. So, one of the parents may sometimes give them a little push, in order for them to take their first flight. This is life and death. If the bird fails to fly, it’s a disaster, but if it learns to fly, it will do what it was purposed to do.
Have you ever heard of a man named Terah? Some may know his name and others may not. However, I’m sure that almost all have heard of his famous son, Abraham.
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Terah. For many Christians, his background is a mystery. However, Jewish people, use other books and stories that tell more about the background of Terah.
In Genesis 11, the Bible says that Terah took Abram (later Abraham) and his grandson Lot, and they headed for the land of Canaan.
Some believe that Terah was told by GOD to go to the land of Canaan. Others believe that GOD told Abram.
Despite which story is correct, the family left Ur of Chaldees heading for Canaan, but ended up in a place called Haran. In fact, Terah stayed in Haran for the remainder of his life.
One day, GOD told Abram to leave his father’s house in Haran and go to the land of Canaan. Abram had to make a decision. Would he stay in the confront of his father and mother’s house, or would he obey GOD and go to a place that was unfamiliar to him?
Abram finally decided to leave his father’s house and go to the land of Canaan. But Abram took his nephew Lot with him.
Before I make the next statement, I will need to clarify that this is my opinion.
I believe that Abram was supposed to go to the land of Canaan without Lot. I believe that God wanted to show Abram HIS ways, and teach him the things of GOD separate from his extended family.
So, when Abram reached the land of Canaan, there was a famine. Instead of staying in the land, Abram took his family and moved to Egypt. After telling the King of Egypt that his wife Sarai was his sister, the King tried to take her for his wife. However, after being threatened by GOD in a dream, the King told Abram to leave, and he sent him away with cattle and servants. So, Abram travels back to Canaan.
GOD prospered Abram so much that both Lot and Abram had so many animals that their herdsmen got into an argument. Abram then told Lot to choose any part of the land he wanted, and he could have it. He did this so there was no strife between them.
So, Lot chose the fertile area of land in the plain of Jordan toward the city of Sodom. But Abram stayed in Canaan.
It wasn’t until after Lot left that GOD promised Abram the entire land of Canaan to him and his family after him. With Abram’s extended family gone, GOD could finally work on Abram, and the mighty man of GOD he would become.
GOD made a covenant with Abram and then changed his name to Abraham. Abraham means father of a great multitude. He also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah.
Next, Abraham and Sarah received the blessing that GOD promised, Isaac. It was 24 years from the time Abram left his father’s house that Isaac was conceived.
What is it that’s holding you back from the promises GOD has for you?
It could be the fact that you haven’t left your father, mother, siblings, or other relatives?
I realize that with the baby-boom generation, there may be a need for you to take care of your parents. I’m not talking about that. What I’m referring to is there comes a time when you must cut the emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual ambilocal chord from your family, and stand on the Word of GOD on your own.
Many times, people are too dependent on family and friends, instead of GOD. When problems arise in their lives, they will seek the practical advice of their family, over the truth they hear from GOD. Family oftentimes will tell you what they want you to be, but GOD will tell you what HE created you to be.
GOD will help you to discard the weight of the useless baggage that you’ve been carrying around. Since we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of GOD, the nature of sin is passed down from our ancestors. You could have dealt with family curses, emotional, and/or spiritual baggage that has been passed down or taught to you by family members. However, when you get born again, you are to renew your mind with the Word of GOD. When you spend time with GOD, HE will teach you HIS way of doing things. And before you realize it, that old baggage and the old ways that you learned from your family, will seem to have disappeared.
Sometimes, the family can be like anchors, keeping you in the same place, preventing you from achieving GOD’s best. When you want a boat to stay in the same location, you deploy an anchor. The anchor is good if you want to stay in place, but it works against you if you want to sail. Let me show you how this could apply to your situation.
Your family is the ones that know you best. They know both your good and bad moments. When you make a mistake, you repent to GOD, learn from it, and put it behind you. However, after putting the mistake behind you, you may have a family member that constantly reminds you of it. You’re trying to move forward, but your family member just keeps dropping the anchor of your past mistake in the water. Because of that, you stay anchored in the same place.
Pick up that anchor and move forward!
When you pick up the anchor and move forward, you may leave some family behind. Is it easy? No. However, remember who you are moving forward with, Jesus. Jesus knew that by following him, there will be times when you will have to choose between him, family, and friends.
Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30 KJV).
Please, don’t take this lightly. Pray earnestly to GOD. Just don’t make a rash decision one way or another. Listen to what the Spirit of GOD tells you to do. However, if HE tells you to leave like HE told Abram, then it is in your best interest to obey. HE has your best interest in mind.
Do what GOD says so you can be like Abraham. Blessed by GOD and blessed beyond your wildest dreams.