Digging Deeper: Express Your Faith Through Your Witness
8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 12:8 (ESV)
EXPRESS YOUR FAITH THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
Abram lived out his faith and others could see the impact it made on his daily choices. Abram pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai. The word Bethel means “House of God.” Bethel is the symbol of communion with God. It was at Bethel that the patriarch Jacob would later meet God one lonely night (Gen. 28). The name Ai means “A Heap of Ruins”. Ai is the symbol of the world. It was here that Israel would later learn a valuable lesson about faith, obedience, and the destructive power of sin. As Abraham journeyed, he seemed to be moving away from “A Heap of Ruins” toward the “House of God.” This symbolizes the fact that Abraham was moving away from what he used to be, toward that which God desired for him to be! That’s what happens when a person sets out to walk with the Lord!
In 1893, engineer George Ferris built a machine that bears his name-the Ferris wheel. When it was finished, he invited a newspaper reporter to accompany him and his wife for the inaugural ride. It was a windy July day, so a stiff breeze struck the wheel with great force as it slowly began its rotation. Despite the wind, the wheel turned flawlessly. After one revolution, Ferris called for the machine to be stopped so that he, his wife, and the reporter could step out. In braving that one revolution on the windblown Ferris wheel, each occupant demonstrated genuine faith. Mr. Ferris began with the scientific knowledge that the machine would work and that it would be safe. Mrs. Ferris and the reporter believed the machine would work on the basis of what the inventor had said. But only after the ride could it be said of all three that they had personal, experiential faith. (Source unknown).
Reflection
God does not intend for you to live your faith in private. Genuine faith shows up in our daily lives and brings light to dark places. Where is your faith most obvious, and where is your faith most hidden?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the dark places He has placed you so you can be a light for Him. Ask God to show you someone who needs to see and hear about the difference Jesus can make in their life.
Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.