Abram(that was his pagan name) before God changed it to Abraham-the father of faith.
This morning, reading through Genesis Chapter 13-15 as i usually do everyday in my 'read the bible through' for one year as guided by the popularly used daily bread manual, i began to see something new about Abram and what made him so special and different.
Our choices make us who we eventually become or the ripple effect we get from our daily actions.
God told him to leave his country and kinsmen to a land he will reveal to him. He obeyed. As he stepped out in his journey, he took Lot (his cousin) with him.
At a point both Abram and Lot became so rich with goods and servants that the land could no more accommodate them all.
The immediate challenge was the conflict that ensued between the servants of Abraham and those of Lot. Instead of Abram to call them to order and warn them against intimidating his servants (since he was the master and benefactor), he chose the option of peace.
He encouraged Lot to choose anywhere that could accommodate him and his men so that there could be peace since there was no reason for quarrelling.
Do you know what Lot did? He chose the best land in his own sight and left the 'barren' land to Abraham.
I think of what one could have done naturally in such a circumstance. Rail abuse on Lot of course for being an ingrate. Abram could have retorted 'I only gave you the opportunity to test your level of respect for me. Do you think you are so smart and wise? How could you have chosen the best land mass and leave the fallow area to me? I'm sorry, i could no longer cope with your excesses. I'll give you 24 hrs to go back to your land of nativity. I could no longer stomach your disrespectful behavious which has unfortunately being copied by your servants'.
Abram never said anything near the paraphrased sentence above.
We can see in him a man who understand spiritual laws. He allowed Lot to have his way so that God could have His way in his own life.
That is it. If we allow other people to cheat us and have their way, God will move on our behalf and remember us for good. He will fight for us and bless us.
Abram was a good example in humility and brotherly love. He was ready to pay the sacrifice so that peace could reign.
Here we have a classic in human relationship. Did he loose eventually as a result? No.
God appeared to him and entered into a covenant with him to bless him and make him great and generations after him.
We stant to gain more if we apply spiritual laws to our daily lives.
* 'Seek peace and pursue it'.
* 'In honour, prefer one another'.
* 'Whatever is good, whatever is honest, whatever is of good report,...think about these.'
* 'Let brotherly love continue among you'.
* 'Approve things that are excellent,....being full of the fruits of righteouness..'(Phil. 1:10,11).
How good and marvelous would it be if you could adopt Abraham's proven principles which guarantees spiritual health, promotes effective human relationship, ensures peace and spread positive results from generation to generation?
Here is our challenge. By extension, the world will be a better place if we live by the example of Abraham. Africa for example will say an emphatic good bye to ethnic wars and religious intolerance; Europe will be more passionate about the developing world and the Middle East will enjoy peace and tranquility.
You may not be able to influence what happens in the world at large but you can start today from where you are.
Brighten the corner where you are.
P.S.: Today's text taken from Genesis Chapter 13-15 and Phil. 1:8-11
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