“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” — Hebrews 11:8

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When Jesse Chavez was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2002, he had no idea how many places he’d go during his career. He started in his hometown of San Gabriel, California, but didn’t always get to stay close to home. He’s been traded at least nine times and has played for nine different MLB teams: the Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves.

Currently, he’s back in the minor leagues with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves in Georgia. That’s a long way from his hometown. His travels haven’t always been easy, but he’s joked that he’s happy as long as he carries his video games with him wherever he goes.

When God called Abram to pick up and move, it wasn’t easy. Following God’s command meant leaving family and everything familiar to him. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you'” (Genesis 12:1). How did Abram respond? He obeyed immediately. “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran” (Genesis 12:4). God soon changed Abram’s name to Abraham and it represented a change of heart and direction for the man.

Later, Joshua spoke about Abraham as an example of making the right decision to follow God wherever He leads. “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘… But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac…'” (Joshua 24:2-3). Abraham’s obedience to God marked the generations that came after him.

In the New Testament, God urges us to trust the Lord and follow His guidance, even when we’re asked to go to strange and uncomfortable places like Abraham, because God eventually takes believers to the Heavenly country. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10).

Therefore, the apostles went anywhere, including the most dangerous places, to bring the Gospel to people needing Christ. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:22-24).

Let us go anywhere and everywhere for God!

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia

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