Genesis 12:1-8.       

Have you ever been captivated by the “do it yourself” myth? Maybe you heard someone famous—an influencer or a celebrity—talk about how they got to where they are and you assumed they did it themselves. The truth is nobody goes through life alone. No matter where we come from, someone or something helps us.

Abram is the example of faith not because he alone is exceptional, but because he fully depended on God. The land, blessing, and future for Abram was all provided by God’s promise. Abram believed God and moved forward in obedience. He put his home, future, and relationships in God’s hands.

No matter where you come from, you did not get to where you are alone. God was with you, giving you grace even before you believed. If our faith is in Christ, we do not buy into a myth of “self-help,” but depend on God for everything. This frees us from fear and our tendency to try to control or obsess over all uncertainty—God will deal with that!

This frees us also to be generous. We trust God and live into the fulfillment of the promise that God will make us a blessing to the world.

Author: Austin Troyer