An anonymous source wrote of Christopher
Columbus, "When he started out he didn't know where he was going;
when he got there he didn't know where he was; and when he got back he
didn't know where he had been." Did you know that today marks the
anniversary of
Columbus
'
disembarkation for the "new world"? He would arrive in
mid-October, though he thought he had gone all the way around the globe
to
India
!
Oh, well, he may not get points for directional acuity, but he was a man
of ambitious and optimistic vision.
Abraham was somewhat like that. Listed in the "Faith Hall of
Fame" in Hebrews eleven, Abraham was a man "when he was
called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an
inheritance; and he went out, not knowing
where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of
promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,
fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which
has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (8-10). He
certainly did not know where he was going, really did not know where he
was or, for that matter, where he had been. He knew that God knew, and
that was enough!
In
one sense, the faithful Christian knows where he is going--heaven (cf. 1
John
5:13
).
He knows where he is--this world, in which he is a pilgrim and stranger
(cf. Hebrews
11:13
).
He knows where he was--in that world, lost in sin (cf. Ephesians 2:2-5).
In another sense, we do not know where we are going. We are as in
the dark about the future
of our as the non-believer. Tragedy, setbacks,
betrayals, and discouragements may strike us at any time, the same as
anyone else. The difference is that, with Christ's help, we can overcome
any such thing (Philippians
4:13
; 1
John 4:4).
We, at times, do not really know where we
are. In the midst of crisis, we can be as befuddled as the rankest
atheist and infidel. We get puzzled. We face indecision. We are
frustrated when we stand at the fork in the road. The difference is the
confidence in the promise from God: "Commit your works to the LORD,
And your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16:3). After prayer,
study, and thoughtful consideration
situation, we can launch out and move
ahead with faith that as we seek
the
kingdom first everything will "work out" (cf. Matthew
6:33
).
Sometimes, we are at a loss to say where we have been. Particularly,
consider some times when you view life in retrospect. We believe in
Divine Providence; we just don't know when it has specifically occurred
in our pasts.
Was that event or circumstance something in which God had His guiding
hand? That may be impossible to say this side of time, but we can be
assured that God can make good come out of whatever circumstances come
our way (cf. Romans 8:28). No, it may not work out for our good, but
even in our worst hurt, hardship, or pain, God is able to take the bad
and make good things come of it. God, as the Divine Orchestrator, can
make a funeral dirge a song of victory. As the Divine Architect, He can
build something beautiful from the ugly rubble of failure or heartache.
The
Christian, who lives with the confidence that God is with him past,
present, and future, can do great things. Through faith, hope, and love
(cf. 1 Corinthians
13:13
), God's child can launch out and
embark in
doing great things for the good of the Kingdom
and the saving of lost souls. Faithful Christians, when they leave this
world, never leave it the same as it was before they arrived. They may
not make the history books and have holidays named after them. They may
not have their names recorded in the Book of books. Yet, their name will
be found in the Book of Life and they will enjoy the fruit of that
eternally (Revelation 20:12; 21:3ff)!
IN ALL THINGS, TO GOD BE THE GLORY!