The London zoo introduced a four-day exhibit: “Humans in Their Natural Environment.” They added a human display as part of the exhibits. The human “captives” were chosen through an online contest. To help visitors understand the humans, the zoo workers created a sign detailing their diet, habitat, and threats. According to the zoo’s spokesperson, the goal of the exhibit was to downplay the uniqueness of human beings. But one participant in the exhibit seemed to disagree. “When they see humans as animals here, it reminds them that we’re not.” God “fearfully and wonderfully” made us in “His image” (Psalm 139:14; Genesis 1:26–27). Like a master weaver, God not only formed the intricacies of internal and external features of man but also He also made him a living soul, giving spiritual life and the ability to intimately relate to God. Human beings are special. God created us with marvelous uniqueness and the awesome ability to have an intimate relationship with Him. Like David, we can praise Him because we are the workmanship of His loving hands. Each of us is unique with a name that matters.
In Genesis 12, we read about the calling of Abraham. The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great." Abraham was living in Haran at the happy old age of 75. Life was good, Abraham has made a name for himself, he was established to settle for retirement. The only thing it seems like Abraham has missed out on is having a child with his wife Sarah. But they were both passed childbearing age anyway and at this point they have settled for the good life they have now. Little did they know that God had a different plan for them. They were going to become the father of a nation. Their lives were going to change from a self-centered one to be a blessing for the world. Abram responded to God's goodness with faith and obedience.
And with that, Abraham packs up, gets his wife Sarah and nephew Lot ready, and they begin following God to the land of Canaan. Along the way, God makes it clear that Abraham and his wife are going to have children who will inherit the land and you can imagine the inner laughter knowing they were both too old to have kids anymore. Little did they know that having children late in life wouldn’t be the biggest miracle that would come from all this. Generations later, a Messiah, Jesus the Christ, would be born of flesh and blood from this family line, and the promise would be kept. The promise of God is to exist for more than just oneself in order to bless the world. And indeed, Jesus would bless the world beyond anything we could ever imagine. Our commitment leads to God’s opportunities. When we read the story of Abraham, God focuses on what Abram must leave behind and not about where he is going. He is asked to leave his country, kindred, his father’s house.
Abram leaves behind are more than just tangible items, geographical locations, and relationships. Ultimately, they form Abram’s identity, security, and place in community—they are the concrete things he knows about life, about himself, and about the world. God will now be the giver and provider of context and content for Abram’s life. Every journey whether physical, emotional, or spiritual begins with leaving something behind. Maybe the reason we feel like we never get anywhere new in life is because we are unwilling to leave anything, much less everything, behind. God often calls us to chart unknown territory as we follow Him. Obeying His commands to forgive, to give away our treasures, or to give up things that provide security and pleasure often leave us in the scary territory of unknown outcomes. The call is to a full commitment of our lives to follow the path God has for us.
Abraham’s original name was Abram, that came from the word "Abar" and means simply "to cross over". Someone who crossed over from the pagan land to the promised land. "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations"...(Genesis 17:5). God said to Abraham,, "I will make your name great." Another version reads, "I will make your name distinguished." Just like Abraham, we are all born with a name from God. God wants each of us to claim it and inherit it. With the birth of every child, a new call to possibilities comes. Every birth is possibility - every birthday is a challenge.
God is calling us by name to establish a relationship. We are called to be God's children. Paul says that Abraham is "the father of us all" (Romans 4:16). God made the name of Abraham famous throughout the earth through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham through the tribe of Judah. "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3: 29). We all become heirs to Abraham's promise through Jesus Christ. When things do not go your way then it is time to realize that God has a greater purpose in mind - His sovereign will may not be pleasant at the time, but it will accomplish God’s greater good will. That perspective changes the way we look at everything. Through Jesus Christ, we are given a new name - children of God.
By God calling us by name He also initiates a covenant with us. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ( Isaiah 43:1,2). Abram became Abraham. Jacob was given the name Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul. The God of Abraham, is still calling people today -- out of a self-centered existence and into a life of daily service to Him. He is calling each of us to be where "all the families of the earth will be blessed." What began with Abraham, was reborn 2,000 years ago. Suffering and adversity become the means by which we’re made hungry and thirsty for God. Disappointments become the tools that wean us away from earthly occupations and move us toward a preoccupation with God alone. All things become useful when viewed as the means to the highest good.
