Monday, June 7, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Leigh Bonner
This story comes right after the Tower of Babel. The last verse of the Babel story reads, “…the Lord mixed up the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord dispersed them all over the earth” (see 11:9). God created language, culture, and diversity. God called humanity out of the imagined comfort and safety of human-willed towers into discomfort and, at first glance, dangerous territory of God-willed diversity.
God called Abram and Sarai to leave their family and culture for a place and culture they did not know. God promised that their household would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. But in order to grow into that blessing, they had to leave. Even at their advanced age, God called them to leave the comfort and familiarity of their own culture and enter a land where they would be foreigners.
God warned that the experience of their descendants would involve enslavement and oppression. When God announced that Sarai would give birth, God even changed their names. By following God’s call they would be permanently changed. And we don’t know if they ever returned to their land and culture of origin.
For us to be a blessing, God calls us to live in the difference, in the uncomfortable. If we return to our culture and place of origin, we may forever be aliens to those around whom we once felt most at home. Discipleship is a scary endeavor, but as we follow God, we mature into the blessing God calls us to be.
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
