“Going Forward in Unfamiliar Places”
June 2025
Many of us, including myself, have encountered unfamiliar places in life where we haven’t been before. The tendency when we find ourselves in those situations is to move back into the familiar territory where we feel safe and comfortable. Abraham shows us what it means to navigate unfamiliar territory to an unfamiliar place.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you."
God didn’t give Abraham the destination; otherwise, he’d have been destination driven. He had no choice but to focus and keep his eyes on the Lord. In what area of life is God asking you to step out in faith? Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone to get where God wants you to be? Remember, you have to let go to grow. You may not know exactly where He’s leading; that’s fine.
Having already left their wealthy, populous, cosmopolitan home city of Ur, Abram, Sarai, and their family set off from Haran toward Canaan. Sources indicate the final journey that would total approximately 1,500 miles. With merely their possessions and a promise, they navigated rivers, mountains, and deserts—likely natural and manmade hazards of all sorts—until they were eventually set down in a territory unknown, one in which they were asked to trust in El Shaddai, which means God Almighty.
Think back over your life, can you recall a time when God led you into an unfamiliar territory? A place that made you uncomfortable because you believed you did not belong, was not adequately prepared, or even better, you just didn't know what to expect? What is God calling you to leave behind? What is he asking you to trust Him with? Are you stuck in the same place, or are you moving forward, trusting in Him? When you step out into the unknown to do what you believe is God’s will, He may not give you a blueprint to work with, but He will guide you step-by-step along the way.
Abraham had to let go of his old identity (Abram) before he could take hold of his new identity (Abraham, Genesis 12:5). Isn’t that exactly what Jesus calls us to do? “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9: 23). Finding our identity in Christ means dying to self, leaving behind the sources of comfort and security our old nature tries to cling to. In other words, we have to let go to grow.
I challenge and encourage Fathers and 2025 Graduates, and each of us, to do what God has placed in our hearts. To be fulfilled in your life’s purpose, the only thing you ever have to be concerned about is this: Am I following God?
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings
