Thursday, May 26, 2011

Abraham and Isaac

The past month the story of Abraham and Isaac has haunted me. I can't seem to shake it. When this happens I sit in meditation to listen, to seek the answer or the message. This is what has been coming up. Feel free to take what you want and leave the rest.

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. This seem far fetched as Abraham and Sarah were so old. However, eventually, they gave birth to Isaac.

When Isaac was a teenager, Abraham was instructed to take him to the rock and offer him as a sacrafice to God. What a horrific story! Why would God, a loving God, require such a thing? This was my question.

It could be that God was going to save Abraham and Sarah the pain of raising a teenager, right?

As I pondered the story, my youngest daughter was playing soccer and the eldest daughter was busy planning all of her many activities. I began to notice how my God time began to diminish as my daughters frivilous activities began to take over our time. To my astonishment, I found myself at a soccer game on a Sunday morning. I truly had the best intentions of going to church after the game, but it was cold and windy and we were all tired. We went home and took a nap. WE missed church.

I began to see that my children's pleasures were taking place of my sacred time with God. I was slipping into a very slippery slope. God was being demoted. I began to notice how my friends were in debt up to thier eyeballs meeting the whims of their children. I observed more and more family time being dwindled away because of athletics, drama, music, friends, etc.

This is what God was doing, I thought. He was getting Abraham's attention, getting him to refocus. God was his source, his vehicle to being the father of many nations. Isaac was a gift not the source and supply. Abraham had to be willing to give up Isaac, to refocus, to return to God.

In becoming willing, to waking up, or letting go, Abraham did not have to sacrifice his beloved child. A ram was put there in its place.

This story has helped me to reevaluate what is taking my time and my attention away from God, my source, my way-shower. In this awareness, I am able to readjust and become more focused and God-centered.

What things are you holding tight too, believing it is your life line? I encourage to peel your fingers from the strong hold and let go and let God.