“Something doesn’t feel right. Something is definitely missing. I don’t understand what is happening right now. I love my dad and I trust him. He has always told me the truth in everything. I heard him tell the servants that we would return to them. He just told me that God Himself would provide the lamb for the burnt offering. But where is it? I’m acutely aware of a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I watch my father build an altar for the burnt sacrifice. Then he turns and walks toward me with tear-filled eyes of love and a rope in his hands. It’s decision time. I’m young and fast. I could run down this mountain and escape his reach, but like I said, I love my dad and I trust him. So I close my eyes as tears run down my face; I choose to submit and obey. I’m all in.” You can read the rest of Isaac’s story in Genesis 22:1-19.
About 2000 years later, Jesus chooses to submit and obey His Heavenly Father. I’m so glad He did.
Now, another 2000 years later, I have had that all too familiar inner conversation. “Something doesn’t feel right. I don’t understand what is happening. I love the Lord and I know He loves me. I trust Him. He is faithful and true to His Word, and He has never let me down. However, the fact remains: I don’t like where I am right now. It’s very uncomfortable. And it’s decision time. I could run down this mountain of testing; or I could submit, trust, and obey my Savior and Lord. I choose the latter. I’m all in.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).