Went, Not Knowing Where He Was Going

Hallelujah!

I returned last night from the Regional Assembly in the Tri-Cities. On my way there, I followed my GPS through Othello and was struck by the incredible beauty of the endless yellow canola flowers lining the road.

Today, through the story of Abraham, let us reflect on how we can live a life of complete faith. Abraham was an ordinary man living in Ur when God called him with a startling command: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Gen 12:1). At 75 years old and childless, Abraham was given no specific destination—only a direction. Yet, Hebrews 11:8 tells us that by faith, Abraham obeyed and went, “even though he did not know where he was going.”

Do we know where we are going? Like Abraham, we do not know what tomorrow holds. We try to plan our lives based on what seems safe and rational, but Proverbs 16:9 reminds us: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” God’s primary goal is not to give us a roadmap, but for us to know Him personally. Eternal life, as defined in John 17:3, is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ. God often remains silent about the specific “how” and “where” of our future because He wants us to seek His character instead. When we pray, He reveals Himself as the faithful Creator and merciful Father. Knowing His heart is the only way to truly walk the path of life.

Abraham surely wanted a “GPS destination” to find the fastest, safest route. Instead, God told him to rely on Him day by day. This uncertainty forces us to pray and depend on Him. We see this same dynamic in the New Testament when Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them. Thomas, confused by the lack of a physical destination, asked: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

The disciples were thinking of a physical location, but the spiritual realm is defined by existence and union. Jesus responded: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We do not reach the Father through a map or through our own works, but by abiding in the person of Jesus Christ.

We see a similar lesson in the Book of Job. When faced with disaster, Job demanded a rational explanation. God offered no “why.” Instead, He revealed His overwhelming presence as the Creator. Job realized that his human logic could never grasp divine providence, confessing: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5).

Our ultimate “Promised Land” is not a physical place on earth; it is union with our Heavenly Father. Abraham eventually understood that his true home was not in Canaan, but in heaven. This realization allowed him to live contentedly as a stranger and a pilgrim in a foreign land.

My friends, we may not understand why things happen or where we are headed tomorrow. However, if we abide in Jesus and follow Him one step at a time, we are walking the path to our Father’s house. May we all live as faithful pilgrims, trusting the One who guides our steps. Amen.