Loved When I Can’t Produce
“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 NIV)
Everyone loves a winner. They are celebrated, venerated, and congratulated. Have you ever seen a party for the one who gets 2nd place? No one celebrates 2nd place. No commercials. No tv shows or covers of magazines. In fact, they go down in history as failures, has-beens, or simply wasted potential. Unless that history is found in the Bible.
Abraham is 80 years old. Decades past his prime. The sunset has set on his best years. His pace has slowed, and his actions deliberate. His priorities were his aged wife and caring for their extended family. At this stage of his life, his excitement is a rocking chair and a cold glass of lemonade. Then God shows up. It’s almost as if this encounter was a cruel practical joke. But God doesn't make mistakes.
He calls the octogenarian and tells him that he will father a nation. It must have felt like April Fools Day. Was this a cruel joke? Some sinister plan? Did He do something so wrong that even God was playing tricks on him? Contrary to that idea, God’s plans for Abraham were not only to produce one child but also to create a nation. The only challenge is his wife was past her childbearing years. She was a part of that promise, yet she too was part of the problem. Abram was faithful, but he wasn’t’ blind. He knew his wife was post-menopausal, and having a child was biologically impossible.
Have you ever been there? Frustrated with the one thing that you feel would make you valuable. Yearning for something that seems so essential to others but alludes your grasp. Worst yet, to wonder what God sees in you? The call of Abraham is the call of God making up for our deficiencies. It is a reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. We can be barren and still be in line for a blessing.
God sees in Abraham what we often can't see in ourselves. In spite of your surroundings. Regardless of your situation. Even when you are barren and feel like there is no hope for you, God calls. Has God called you to do something that is beyond you? Something that you don't have the resources, intellect, time, or talent to make happen?
God calls Abraham to step out on an epic leap of faith. He takes the senior citizen on an epic journey of faith, and in the midst of Abraham's journey, God blessed him with a son. Regardless of how you feel. Despite what things may look like, God knows and loves you anyhow. He is aware of your limitation(s) and sent this blog to let you know He still loves you. He has a plan for you. Even when you feel like you lack even the most basic of needs, God can step in and use that deficiency for a testimony of His goodness.
The Bible calls you Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29). The same way God wanted to bless Abraham is the same way He wants to show up in your life. He loves you just to remind you that you are loved.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
Thought Questions
- What can you learn about God from this story?
- What does that teach you about how He feels about you despite your perceived limitations?
