Hebrews 11:8,9 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”
This passage of scripture in Today’s New Testament One Year Bible reading has always amazed me. To think that Abraham would leave a familiar place and start traveling without a destination in mind is incredible. Notice however that Abraham is being obedient by faith because he is being “called to go out to the place” that God had prepared for him.
Let me start by saying I prize stability. I am pastoring the only church I have ever known for over 30 years. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart for over 40 years. I have lived in the same city for over 50 years. But at the start of this week there has been a certain word that has been stirring in my spirit. It is the word migration. I believe with all my heart that God is calling people by faith to “go out to the place” that He has prepared for them (is this you?). There is a spiritual migration getting ready to take place. Like Abraham, you may not know exactly where you’re headed, but you need to be obedient and pack your bags.
There are three main reasons why migration occurs in the animal kingdom:
1. Climate. The atmosphere and temperature has changed and a change of seasons is on the way. This creates movement.
2. Food Supply. When the food supply runs short, migration occurs to find sustenance. The other option is stay where you are and starve.
3. Reproduction. Certain species must relocate to breeding grounds to give birth. Progeny of the species is dependent on it or face extinction.
How about you? Has the climate changed where you are? Has the food been in short supply? Are you bearing fruit and reproducing? If not, it may be time to migrate.