Faith — The Gift - Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
Genesis 13:16-17
“I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” (ESV)
Genesis 13 wraps up with a moment that’s pretty humorous as I read through it. After Lot leaves for the lush valley of Sodom, God tells Abram to lift his eyes and look in every direction, promising that all the land he sees will belong to him and his offspring forever. The text sets up a contrast here where just a few verses earlier, Lot "lifted up his eyes" and chose the best land based purely on human sight, without asking the Lord at all. It’s the exact same mistake Abram had just made by running down to Egypt. But now, the script flips. God tells Abram to lift his eyes, only this time it’s by the Lord’s direct instruction. God essentially says, “Abram, look at that land you just gave away to your nephew… it’ll belong to you anyway.” Look at how Abram responds: "So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord." He doesn't wait to see the physical territory change hands or for things to get easier. He builds an altar, marking this territory for himself and the Lord right there in the middle of the dirt, moving his posture from an "if, then" mindset ("If things work out, then I'll worship") to a resilient, unconditional "even if" commitment.
I had to wrestle through a similar shift during my time volunteering with the kids I mentioned on Monday. I started out with that group of third-grade boys in Southland Kids, and I ended up staying with those exact same guys all the way through 5th grade. When they graduated into Southland Students, I made the jump with them, sticking by them from 6th grade all the way through their high school graduation. It was an incredible 10-year run, but if I’m honest, the end of each year brought a ton of doubt. It was messy, demanding, and cost an immense amount of personal time, emotional energy, and late nights. There were plenty of moments when I was exhausted, questioning if I was actually making a difference, or wondering if I could mentally survive the chaotic schedule of high school students.
Humbly, I knew the best I had to offer these kids wasn't some flawless theological expertise; it was just showing up and being present with them as they grew up. I had my own experiences and my testimony to help guide them towards Jesus, but mainly, I knew they’d statistically had enough adult men in their lives opt out. I committed to being the one who stayed.
In heavy or exhausting moments, it’s easy for me to slip back into an "if, then" faith. We tell God, "If this gets easier, if these guys actually listen to me today, or if my schedule clears up, then I'll stay faithful." But true spiritual resilience requires an "even if" commitment. Which means deciding to stay, to keep showing up, and to keep worshipping when you're tired, when you have doubts, or when the personal cost is high. Abram worshipped before he owned a single square inch of the Promised Land. We are called to stay in the fight because of who God is, not because the circumstances are easy or the outcomes are immediate.
APPLICATION
An "even if" kind of devotion means choosing faithfulness over convenience. There are people in your life, your family, and this church who simply need you to show up and refuse to opt out. I’ll offer it up again: Whether it’s with Kids, Students, or another ministry, click here to volunteer and start investing in what matters, even when it costs you something.
PRAYER
God, I want to move past an "if, then" relationship with You. Forgive me for the times I let doubt, time, or exhaustion dictate my obedience. Give me the strength to commit to Your plan and promises right where I am today, and the resilience to say, "Even if it's hard, I will stay."
