HOW GOD SHAPES A LEADER
Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation? Genesis 18:16-18
Abraham had never seen God’s widespread judgment on a group of people. What is about to unfold in Sodom will be new to his eyes and heart. To be the father of a great and mighty nation, it is imperative that Abraham is able to represent a God with whom he is completely familiar.
Personally, he has experienced a tender and gracious God. But the judgment that is about to come will show that God is angry over sin and rebellion and Abraham has a vested interest in what happens in Sodom. Lot, his nephew, lives there with his family. To be a just leader of his people, Abraham will need to represent the full counsel of God.
I’ve often believed that in order to prepare me for service, God will only equip me in the area where I’m gifted. If I have a mercy gift, I will only be well rounded in the area of mercy. I was wrong. God led me on a path to discover mercy, yes, but also its counterpart. Justice. If I knew just one side of God, I would misrepresent mercy to others. I would be soft on sin and make God look like someone who is indifferent to evil.
God has taken me on many journeys that confused me at the time. I wondered, “What does this have to do with my life and calling?” Time has shown that it was a necessary piece of experience to prepare me for my future.
Are you visiting a place that appears to be a wasteland? Do you often pray, “What in the world are you trying to teach me?” God does all things well and what appears to be insignificant now will later become invaluable. You can trust the Shepherd.
The only way to know You well, Lord, is to walk with You into unexpected places. Don’t let me waste what I fear is a detour. Amen.
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Tuesday, 12 July 2016.
SHARE
