Second Sunday in Lent: .... called out?

Last Sunday's scripture lesson was the temptation of Jesus after he had fasted and prayed for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. He was famished and Satan tempted him to turn stones into bread.  Only, after Jesus told the devil off,  God sent the angels to tend to his needs. Jesus' faith was once more tested. God required Jesus to have this unshakable faith/trust in Him.


In today's Genesis lesson we see the repeat, God called Abram to leave all that was dear to him home, family and country all together and go to the land God was going to show him.  God's promise to Abram for following him was to make a great nation of him, blessings...and it goes on. A real unshakable trust/faith in God was required of Abram.


Today, does God still ask us or requires of us to first trust in Him as much Abram and Jesus did in order for us to receive His blessings for us?  Personally speaking I believe the answer is "YES".  God does requires our complete faith and trust in Him at all times.  


This story of Abram's call reminds me of my own experience of being called out of my father's house, my family, my very comfortable life and my country all together into the unknown at age 18.  God called me to attend Aizawl Theological College in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.  The call was clear and so was the way. So I went there.  There I faced so many struggles.  I spoke no English and they taught in  English. My Mizo was rustic and old people laughed when I spoke.  The food was bad and I was hungry.  The place was hilly and I could not even walk far without falling.  The Mizo 'puan' or wrap-around skirt was something I had never worn before and it kept falling off of me. Most days I did not understand what was taught in the classroom but many kind friends helped me learn.  I cried often.  I prayed all the time.  It took me 5 years to finish the 4 year College.  


One thing I never did was loose my faith in God.  Like Abram I counted on God.  He brought me all the way to this life as a clergy woman serving Him and his people in the Church.  I can not count my blessings for they are too many to count.  I often sung this hymns' refrain, 
" Trust and obey, for there is no other way, 
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey".  


Yes, I could and still can "trust and obey God because I know that God  so loved the world (including me) that he gave his only begotten son." I am ready to follow Him to my next call wherever it may be.


Prayer: Great God, thank you for calling me out of my comfort zones into the unknown.  Give me to continue to have faith in you so deep that I can without question follow you to where you need me. Each day is a struggle of it's own with temptation all around me.  Help me to remember the story of Abram's call so that I may trust you as did Abram.  Use me for your glory.  In Jesus' name. Amen.


Genesis 12:1-4

The Call of Abram

12Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ²I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Also:  Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17