A Call to the Unknown.

A call to the unknown is the beginning of a new journey of faith with God. It's an answer to a prayer…one where you've asked God to take you from where you've been, to a new place in life. Maybe you've asked Him for healing in an area of your life. Maybe you've asked Him for guidance or purpose. Whatever it is that you've been praying or believing for….His answer begins with a call to the unknown.

But what does living in the unknown look like?

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (II Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)

When God calls us to the unknown, He is calling us to walk by faith…not by sight.

This means that we won’t have all the details of where we’re going. This means that we will have to trust what we hear, instead of what our eyes can see. We will have to trust His instructions…even when they don’t make sense…even when we can’t see how everything will work out.

The story of Abraham in the book of Genesis is a perfect example of what a call to the unknown looks like.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. (Genesis 12:1‭-‬4 NLT)

God told Abraham to leave his native country, but did He tell Abraham where he was going? No. Abraham had no idea where he was headed, because God was calling Him into faith…God was calling him into the unknown.

A call to the unknown is a call to grow our faith in God.

These are the seasons that God uses to develop our trust in Him. Because if you think about it, when we know where we’re going and how to get there, we don’t need faith. The only time we need faith is when we can not see. The only time we need faith is when we are walking into a situation blindly. And in those instances, we must rely on the One that can see. He is the one who knows all. He’s been to the future, so he knows the best way to prepare us and lead us there. And the best part about it is that in this season of living in the unknown, we will get the chance to personally experience this.

Let’s take a moment to explore what I mean…

In the book of Exodus, we see that God calls the Isrealites into the unknown. They flee their oppressor and walk towards their promise, but this journey leads them towards many unexpected situations that they believed they were unprepared for. At one point, they were caught between their enemy and the Red Sea. At another point, they were without food and water. And then, they faced enemies that were much stronger than them.

I can’t imagine how hard the journey must have been for them. They were constantly unaware of what the future would bring. They had no idea how they would survive or if they would survive. But, each and every turn of the journey, God revealed himself to them. And at each point, their faith was given an opportunity to grow.

When the Isralietes faced the Red Sea, they were able to experience El-Shaddai– God Almighty– as He parted the waters on their behalf. When they ran out of food and water, they were able to experience Yahweh-Yireh– the Lord that provides– because He sent manna from heaven and water out of a rock. When they faced enemies too great for them they experienced Yahweh-Nissi– the Lord their banner– because He fought for them.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” (Genesis 17:1‭-‬2 NLT)

Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14 NLT)

After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). (Exodus 17:14‭-‬15 NLT)

Until this time in their lives, the Israelites could have only heard of their God. But when their backs were against the wall…when they were living in the unknown…they got a chance to experience their God.

God reveals himself to us in the unknown.

Is God calling you to the unknown? Or are you living there right now? If so…I want you to keep going…keep believing…keep having faith in Him. Why? Because He wants to reveal himself to you. He doesn’t want you to live your life hearing about his strength…He wants you to experience it. He doesn’t want you to live your life hearing about his provision or healing…he wants you to experience it. He wants you to know who He is because you’ve seen and experienced Him in your own life. He wants you to be a living, walking testimony.

But, that doesn’t mean it will be easy. So what can you do right now?

Trust God right where you are. Believe God right where you are.

Don’t spend your time focusing on where you’re headed. Don’t spend your time trying to figure out the next step along your journey. Instead…focus on where you are right here and now. Choose to trust God in this moment…in the middle of your fears…in the middle of the unknown.

The unknown is scary but don't give up.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)

You don’t have to be fearless. You don’t have to be strong or wise. You don’t have to have everything you need. All you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. The Lord will take care of the rest. He is El-Shaddai–God Almighty. He is Yahweh-Yireh– your provider. He is Yahweh-Nissi– your victory…and He’s so much more. Lean on Him for whatever you need. He will meet you right where you are. He’s in the unknown. Allow Him to reveal himself to you in this season of your life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of what it means to walk by faith. Thank you for reminding me that although I may feel alone, and although I may feel uneasy, you are right here with me at this moment. Father, I believe that you are for me. I believe that you will take care of me. So, I will trust in you…I will lean into your Spirit in this season of my life. And as I lean into you, I pray that you will begin to reveal yourself to me. I want to see and experience your glory Father. Show me your strength. Show me your provision. Show me just how great you are. I love you, and I trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.