The Christian Life…

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 13:1-4The Christian Life: A Series of New Beginnings

If you are in God’s Word, then you probably know that when Egypt is mentioned in the Bible, it is a secular reference to the world and worldly endeavors, and to go ‘down’ there is to take a turn for the worse. In contrast, to leave Egypt; particularly to go ‘up’ from there, is an accomplishment pursuant of and equivalent to a new beginning, spiritually-speaking of course.

The Christian life; that is to say the sanctification process we willfully endure, is nothing more than a series of new beginnings, the succession of which moves us along that narrow path. We see this doctrinal principle employed by Abram, who baselessly went down to Egypt, but then wisely returns to the place where he last felt the warmth of God’s presence; the place of new beginnings.

The Coasters

Our spiritual walk (odd as it may seem) is very much like riding a train. The train’s furnace is stoked and it begins to chug along, but then as momentum is achieved we lose sight of the fire, focusing our attention out the window. At first no one perceives deceleration; the occurrence is so gradual, but eventually we will take notice and sometimes (sadly) not until the train has completely stopped.

“Why did the train stop; it happened so suddenly?” we habitually cry in despair.

The reality is that there was nothing ‘sudden’ about it. The fire diminished, but becoming caught up in, or distracted by the world, we didn’t realize the problem that began miles and miles down the track. It is then we discover that we have been coasting all along.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works… Revelation 2:5a

Where was God’s fire last burning brightly? Where was the place that we were last on fire for the Lord? It is the place Abram discovered and returned to time and time again; it is that place we must return—the place of God’s mercy, grace, and new beginnings. Abram left his mark upon the place so he would be able to find it easily…have you marked your place? What does it mean to leave your mark?