The Lodestar

When the Lord commanded Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you” (Gen 12:1), he set out without asking any questions: “So Abram went, as the LORD had told him” (Gen 12:4).

I use navigation maps to drive, especially to places I have never been. In many cases, I call my host to get details that the maps do not provide. Is the road motorable, and is there sufficient parking space at the destination? I am cautious about putting my complete trust in modern technology.

But faith in God involves unwavering trust in his wisdom without questioning. Abraham believed the Lord knew the land he was asked to go to, the people he would meet, and the things he had to do. “So Abraham went, as the Lord had told him.” He did not know that the people who had occupied the land long before he reached there would pose him a challenge. He did not think he would have to engage in a battle to release his nephew from prison; he did not know that the rulers of the land would abduct his wife or anything that happened to him in the strange land. But he knew the Lord knew all that would happen in his life.

Trusting in the Lord’s infinite wisdom is all we need when following his command. Saint Paul, who surrendered his life to Christ to spread the gospel in the ancient Roman empire, was convinced: “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Tim 1:12).