Christopher Columbus was an alternative to the status quo: he was an over-the-horizon thinker.
He thought beyond what was seen, believing when most could not. Others simply did not think in the same way. Maybe some, for whatever reasons, just refused to think and believe at a higher level.
Ever have a challenge or opportunity before you that feels overwhelming? Of course. We all have. Over-the-horizon perspective can get you beyond it.
We can bust out of the box. Today’s reality – with its constraints and limitations – does not have to shape our future.
The “box” is filled with things which keep us from living our best life and accomplishing our most fruitful, significant work. It is filled with forces which will hold you: things like poor thinking, circumstances, fear and what others are thinking and saying.
We need a jailbreak. Or a boxbreak!
This post is part of the Abraham: Questing With God series.
We’re discovering that we can reach back to the experience and achievement of Abraham for precedent in our own lives. This is no small thing. But before we seek to tap the Kingdom dynamics of venturing in faith, let’s briefly explore Abraham’s backstory … we will probably recognize similar themes in our own personal story (see takeaways at the end).
The Creator reached down into time and geography and called Abraham in a special way.
Open up to what's "really real"
This post is part of the Abraham: Questing With God series.
There is a battle over defining what is real in our lives. The sooner we wake up to this struggle the better.
The contest extends to our relationships, our marriage, family, work, business, community, region, and nation.
Circumstances and what’s present in the NOW makes it’s claim: “This is reality for you. Get used to it!” But there is “real” and there is REALLY REAL.
This post is part of the Abraham: Questing With God series.
Abraham’s quest was for God Himself and the Story of God. His experience was an amazing faith-venture from which we can draw inspiration and Kingdom keys for life and calling. Isaiah speaks to us today: We are to “look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug” – we are to look to Abraham and Sarah (Isaiah 50.1-2).
The writer of Hebrews reveals that Abraham obeyed the call of God, going forth to receive an inheritance and yet not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an “alien” in circumstances and surroundings that were not yet aligned to the promise of God. See Hebrews 11.8-10.
Someone may say, “I have no faith,” or “I have little faith.” There’s no worry here.
Faith comes. Faith comes by hearing the living voice of God.
God personally spoke to Abraham and called him. From time to time, the living voice of God would return to Abraham and reaffirm the promise. Paul wrote to the Romans that faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes via the Word (Romans 10.16-17).
This post is part of the Abraham: Questing With God series.
As Abraham walked the land, he would have seen these types of vistas – a panorama in Israel today.
Abraham was a quester of God and the Story of God.
Questing: to search, to seek, to pursue and give chase … to set one’s course on a venture, a journey, a mission, an enterprise … to go after a high endeavor.
What’s so promising about Abraham for our lives is that he is our original pattern of faith, a prototype of the faith-person.
In business, academics, leadership, health and wellness, etc., benchmarking can wake us up! A benchmark is a standard of excellence and achievement. It is a fixed point of reference from which we can draw vision and inspiration. And we can measure and test ourselves against the benchmark.
What can we discover from Abraham’s life and calling?
