Almost Full Circle | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Almost Full Circle | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elaine Hemingway
07/20/17
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Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

In the chicken or the egg question can be found a wealth of other queries. How are we formed – which comes first the genes or the inception? The genes meet, and they have been passed from generation to generation, so how far back do we go to find our roots? God the Father knew us before we were formed in the darkness of the womb, so He knows our background and why He chose those two parents to produce me, or you! He shows the importance He places on heredity as we read the genealogies of the Bible.

When does a journey with the Lord start? Is it at inception or when we hear Him call us by name? How far does obedience take us? A journey of discovery, seeing the unfolding of God’s plan in a life totally committed to Him is an indescribable adventure. In my case, it could have started sooner. The recognition of another form of authority besides parental or scholastic came with the knowledge that God sent His Son to die for me. Unfortunately, that knowledge took a back seat when the distractions of adulthood crept upon me and a desire for adventure took me far from home.

Was that at God’s direction unbeknown to me? Or was it pure rebellion? Or was it the result of my genes from the parents God chose for me? Dad had the wanderlust and loved the sea, having been a Sea Cadet and eventually a Merchant Navy man.

I went to the African Hinterland, which took me far from the sea. Then from city life to rural when I became a farmer’s wife. Mother’s genes of home-loving and child rearing and domesticity took over.

Life is strange with its twists and turns, and our God is great in His Grace and Mercy, not counting our sins against us when we finally say “I have sinned. I have moved away from your direction and made a mess of things. Please take over and guide me from this day forward into eternity.” Consequences remain but so does the knowledge that He never let go. He guides through the wilderness, He lights the darkness and He shows the path we should take.

But what of those who fail to hear the call? Arguments about pre-destination abound, but we read in Matthew 18:10-14 that though a sheep may stray or a child be enticed away our Father in heaven is aware and watching. He is not willing that any of His children be lost! In 2 Peter 3:9 we read “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Biblical characters like Joseph, Samuel, Elisha’s host and hostess, Esther who bore her uncle’s genes and so many others, bear witness to the benefits of following God’s direction. Looking at more modern times we see the lives of people like George Verwer, Spurgeon, Carey and others who obeyed the call and followed God’s directives.

Such philosophical thoughts bring me back to myself, insignificant, a weakling in comparison yet directed by a loving God. He has taken me across continents and brought me back, almost full circle, to where I started.

I regret that He has not taken me to Jerusalem, but one day that will be my destination – the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21:3 “Now the dwelling of God is with men and He will live with them …”

What a destination to look forward to.

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