Unfamiliar Territory

"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.” Genesis 12:1-3 NLT

In the Bible, we come to know Abraham, by being a man of faith and who was called a friend to God. Abraham was living comfortably in his country with his family. For God to stretch and mature Abraham's faith, even more, he had to step outside of his comfort zone. If you study Genesis 12, you will see that Abraham obeyed God by leaving his country, and for that, God's promises to Abraham, mentioned in verses 1-3, were fulfilled.

In verse 2, you see God uses the word "famous." According to Dictionary.com, famousmeans "having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated." Just like Abraham, God wants to fulfill His promises and celebrate you. In order for this to happen, there will be times in our lives where God has to stretch and mature us. He may not tell you to leave the state or country in which you live in, as He did with Abraham, but He can develop you by forcing you to step outside of your comfort zone. Think back over your life, can you recall a time that God has led you towards an unfamiliar territory? A place that made you uncomfortable because you believed you did not belong, was not adequately prepared, or even better, you just didn't know what to expect? Maybe you sat in a boardroom and felt you possessed the least amount of experience. Or you were hired to a new position, but knew you were not qualified or lacked the proper skillsets to do the job? This new territory may be different from the last, but the same power and grace that sustained you then will carry you through now!

All of us have or will experience unfamiliar terriorities! Therefore, don't trip, just trust! Don't panic, just trust! Don't doubt your abilities, JUST TRUST! God led you to this place for a reason! Will you trust Him? It's only by His grace that you will confidently take on the challenge and allow Him to stretch you! After you have settled into this new terriority, sit back and watch how many blessings will began flowing! Don't allow your emotioms and fears to overpower your faith. Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight! Step outside of your comfort zone because your biggest blessings are on the other side of your obedience!