Recently the image of Abraham carrying his son to the altar to be sacrificed has been uppermost in my mind. The thought of sacrificing your only son, that is mind blowing stuff.
Genesis 22
Some time later, God tested Abraham's faith. "Abraham!" God called.
"Yes" he replied, "Here I am."
"Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."
This is some test God is asking Abraham to take. He wants Abraham's joy, the apple of his eye, his heir who will provide him with future generations. His one and only son.
Does Abraham say 'no'? Does he argue with God, stating his reasons why this is not a good idea? Does he plead with God?
We are told Abraham got up the next day and chopped wood which would be used to burn the offering and loaded up his donkey. Then he started his journey to the place God wanted him to go to which would take three days. Consequently he had three days to think about what God has asked him to do. All that time he walked with his son knowing what he was going to do.
If this was me I think this would play on my mind knowing that I was going to kill my only son as a sacrifice for God. I am not sure I could go through with this.
What courage and faith Abraham had.
Fortunately Abraham did not have to go through with sacrificing his son. What He wanted was to see if Abraham would do His will, regardless of the consequences. He wanted Abraham to trust Him. And the reward for this total obedience was to be given back his son. However that was not all, God blessed Abraham even more.
"Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed-all because you have obeyed me."
As Abraham was tested so are we. Sometimes it is the supreme sacrifice of offering your son, your only son, to God as He has plans for him over and above what you may have. We do not have rights over God's calling. Abraham knew this and did as he was told. He gave up his rights over his son when he prepared him to be sacrificed. I am sure Abraham had many plans for his son, many hopes and aspirations, just as we do. Just like Abraham, we must also be prepared to give up our will for our children to God, as He will bless us many fold when we do. We cannot know what journey God has for our sons and daughters, so we must trust God and hand them over to Him so that His Will, will be done.
This is true too of any event that happens in our life. God's 'ask' might be for us to give up our job, to change vocation, move to another area, move to another church, accept a situation that seems impossible, the list is endless. Each time He chooses the place for us to take this sacrifice to just like Abraham. There when we have done his bidding He will provide for us.
When God asks big things of us He wants to draw us closer to Him. He has great rewards to give us for doing His will. These challenges will help us to grow spiritually and personally as we align ourselves with God's will. Sometimes we have to give up what is most cherished and treasured to move onto the next stage of our journey with God.
God bless