Faith, Fulfillment, and the Road Ahead

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Faith, Fulfillment, and the Road Ahead

Genesis 46

Speaker: Pastor
Series:

When God Calls You to Step Into the Unknown

Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that seemed completely illogical? To take a step of faith into the unknown, leaving behind everything familiar and comfortable? In these moments, an unexpected call can lead to profound changes in our lives. I recently found myself in that exact situation, and it reminded me of a powerful story from the Bible about Jacob’s journey of faith.

An Unexpected Call

One day, out of the blue, I received a text from a friend I hadn’t spoken to in three years. He asked if I’d ever considered pastoring full-time again. My gut reaction was an immediate “no.” After all, we loved where we lived, I had a successful business, and we were deeply involved in our community and church. 

This unexpected call took me by surprise. But as I prayed about it with my wife, Chelsea, something unexpected happened. Instead of dismissing the idea outright, she said, “Okay, let’s pray about it.” This opened the door to a journey of faith that would challenge everything we thought we knew about our future.

Jacob’s Crossroads

This situation reminded me of Jacob in Genesis 46. Jacob, no longer a young man, found himself at a crossroads. His son Joseph, whom he had thought dead for decades, was alive and in a position of power in Egypt. Now Jacob had to decide: stay in the familiar land of Canaan or step out in faith to see his long-lost son after an unexpected call from God.

Genesis 46:1-4 tells us:

“So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again. And Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.’

Faith Follows God into the Unknown

Like Jacob, we found ourselves at the edge of the familiar, about to step into the unknown. An unexpected call had led us here. As we prayed and sought God’s guidance, we learned some important lessons:

  1. Faith doesn’t act rashly: Before making any decisions, we took time to worship, pray, and seek God’s will. Jacob did the same, stopping at Beersheba to offer sacrifices before continuing his journey.
  2. God’s presence goes with us: Just as God promised Jacob, “I myself will go down with you to Egypt,” we felt God’s reassurance that He would be with us wherever He led us.
  3. Fear doesn’t negate faith: God told Jacob, “Do not be afraid.” This doesn’t mean Jacob wasn’t fearful, but that he chose to trust God’s promises over his fears. We had to do the same.
  4. God’s plan may not make sense to us: On paper, our potential move made no logical sense. But we learned that beneath the surface, God’s purposes are often deeply purposeful, even when we can’t see the big picture.

Worship Along the Way

As we continued to pray and seek God’s will, we were reminded of the importance of worship throughout the journey. Jacob didn’t just worship before he left; he continued to worship as he traveled and when he finally reunited with Joseph.

Genesis 46:29-30 says, “Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.'”

Jacob’s response wasn’t just joy at seeing his son, but an acknowledgment of God’s faithfulness. This taught us that worship should accompany every leg of our journey – in the stepping out, the waiting, the reunion, and the settling in.

Living as Pilgrims in a Foreign Land

As we considered this potential move, we were struck by how Joseph prepared a place for his family in Goshen. This allowed them to live separately from Egyptian culture while still being provided for. It reminded us that as believers, we’re called to live in the world but not be of it, often responding to an unexpected call to do so.

Putting It Into Practice

So what does this mean for you and me? Here are some practical takeaways:

  1. Trust God’s voice: When God calls you to step out in faith, trust His voice over your own understanding.
  2. Worship continually: Make worship a constant in your life, not just in big moments but in the everyday journey.
  3. Maintain a pilgrim mindset: Remember that our true citizenship is in heaven. Don’t get too comfortable in your “Goshen.”
  4. Look to the horizon: Keep your eyes fixed on the better country secured for us by Christ.

As we step out in faith, may we walk confidently, knowing that the God who calls us is faithful. He goes before us, He goes with us, and He prepares the way. Whether He’s calling you to move across the country or simply to trust Him in your current circumstances, remember: faith follows God into the unknown, sometimes prompted by an unexpected call.

We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!

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