Focus: You Will Arrive

Text: Gen.12:5

"And they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came."

Let me say right away that you will succeed in the journey of faith. You will reach your destination. Just keep your hope alive, stay focused, and keep going.

It is a journey of faith. It is written: "By FAITH Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Heb.11:8). He knew there was a place called Canaan, but had never been there before, and had not even an idea of how to get there.

Listen to Abraham: "And it came to pass, when GOD CAUSED ME TO WANDER from my father's house" (Gen.20:13). He didn't find it easy. He wandered, erred, strayed, staggered, panted, and was often out of the way. He moved from place to place with no sense of direction.

The way of faith is not that simple and straightforward. It has twists and turns, curves and bends, and even dead ends. It's not always fun or exciting. The way of faith is narrow, not broad. In fact, the journey of faith is constantly fraught with danger and uncertainty.

The journey of faith is an adventure with God, meaning that you are not always sure of what to expect, except that you are sure of who is leading the way - God Himself. He knows and arranges our steps and stops.

At a point in Abraham's journey they arrived at Haran, and settled there like they had finally arrived. And that is really like replacing Canaan with Haran. Another point is that the location of Haran was further away from Canaan. Apart from taking a longer route, the decision of settling in Haran meant jettisoning the idea of continuing the journey to Canaan.

God called Abraham alone for the journey, but his father led the way from Ur in Chaldea to Haran. Terah turned a stopover into a settled home. He made Haran his Canaan. For Terah, anywhere is Canaan. The call to go to Canaan came to Abraham, not to Terah, his father. I beg you in the name of the Lord, let no one hijack the vision God has given to you, nor hinder you from reaching your final destination. Haran is nothing but a distraction. Like Paul, you must press forward, keeping your eyes on the mark of your high calling.

The good news is that Abraham finally arrived Canaan. He departed Haran and made it to Canaan. After all the hurdles and hazards of the way he made it. He came through it all - the odds, the wanderings, the meanderings, the troubles, the distractions and confusion.

Abraham got up and walked through the land in the length and breadth of it, and by faith he lived in it, and out of gratitude and a sense of responsibility he set up sacred spots for his God.

Regardless of all you encounter along the way of your high calling, be assured that you will surely arrive safely to your heavenly Canaan. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter