A Change of Scenery

Genesis 12:1-2

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from

thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”

As many of you know, I have been housebound because of back and neuropathy issues for about 3 and a half years. The extent of getting out of the house has been for doctor’s visits and surgery. This past week our daughter Heather and her husband Shane wanted us to come down to their beach house in lower Delaware. So, after thinking about it, I decided that I could lay in their recliner as well as my own at home. (That’s the only comfortable position at this point for me.) So, we went down to Bethany for a “change of scenery.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

It really was a nice change of scenery, and I thoroughly enjoyed being with our children and grandchildren even though still in the confines of their home. Getting ready to go there, we had to assemble and pack all of the necessary things and equipment that I need every day. We were only preparing for a week. I thought of how God spoke to Abraham and told him to just pack up and leave the only place that they had known as home in the spur of a moment and go to a place that God would reveal in the future. It wasn’t a week trip but a change for the rest of their lives.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Can you imagine the Lord telling you to come out of your comfort zone, pack up your belongings and family and go to who knows where? You talk about a “change of scenery.” Would you be willing to just follow God’s instructions without even one question? Not many of us have been called to do as Abraham did, but what about other things that God has asked of you? Maybe to witness to someone or share your testimony with them. Maybe teach a Sunday School Class. Join the choir. Pass out tracts. Lead your family in daily devotions. Be more faithful in leading your family to church. Volunteering for something out of your comfort zone and may make you nervous. Sharing your salvation experience with your family. (That’s a hard one.) There are so many needs in churches today. Just step out and ask your Pastor where there is a need and fill it.

Deuteronomy 31:8

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee,

he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Wouldn’t it be sad to stand before the Lord some day and Him show you what you could have accomplished for the faith if you had just stepped into some new scenery and out of your comfort zone? Don’t delay to think about it when God lays something on your heart. Just do as Abraham did and say, “Yes, Lord.”

Psalms 32:8

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Think how many more people we could reach for Christ if we would come out of our comfort zones and explore a change of scenery. How many more souls could be saved and lives changed? By making new changes of scenery, we are compelled to grow in our own spiritual lives and challenge us and strengthen our own faith. Are you willing to step out and change your scenery for the cause of Christ?

Joshua 1:9

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”