There’s a rekindled love in my heart for the beach. I’ve been sitting, toes and fingers submerged in the sand. It is the loveliest kind of exfoliator, gently rubbing away the rough places. As I sat in the sun today, digging my digits deeper and deeper I felt a sort of energy… The sand, thick and dark was almost vibrating, a living and breathing organism.
This vacation has come at just the right time for me. I have been looking forward to the much needed moments of quiet and space. Pressure has been brought to bare for me in some of the most uncomfortable ways and I find myself searching, looking for answers to questions. How often will I ask him, “Lord, is this it? Because this is the hard road and everyone else seems to be on a completely different path…”
So, it was in this frame of mind, I sat in the middle of my natural spa treatment. I began to think about sand, this natural wonder, created by God, and how it is infinite… grain by grain it can not be counted. And, more specifically, it is the symbol of a promise made by God.
Genesis 22 recounts the story of Abraham and his son Isaac’s journey to Mount Moriah. It was on this trip that God asked Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice. Talk about pressure being brought to bear… and there they were at the intersection of trust and self preservation… Which way is best?
I can only identify with Abraham in the very smallest of ways. By comparison God is asking me to trust Him in such tiny baby steps… He hasn’t asked me to give up anything of significance. He’s asking me to live sacrificially in one way. just one. and still, I consider my own desires.
The rehabilitation of the sand in this Genesis story, softens and renews my heart as I remember the ending. Abraham put Isaac on the altar and as he set about to obey God, another animal became apparent and Abraham did not have to sacrifice his only child. Then the angel of the Lord relays these words to Abraham:
16 “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
In a nutshell, God promised blessings to Abraham. And not just a few: the blessings would be innumerable, like the sand on the seashore because of his choice to obey, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Blessed because of obedience. These words are working, gently sanding away the rough places of doubt and indecision in my heart. There truly is blessing when I choose to obey. How these covenant words have life and breath all their own, whispering hope at a time when I need to hear them most.
Thank you Heavenly Father for these promises You have given us in Your Word. Soften my heart and my mind; mold me with sand or whatever You choose… May Your will be done. amen.
daily portion 