Saying Goodbye to Ishmael

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Abraham to say goodbye to his first son, Ishmael? Ishmael was still a young lad. And for thirteen years he was Abraham's only child. A son Abraham thought God had intended for him. He watched his child grow, learn to walk and talk; he believed that one day Ishmael would become a mighty nation. Abraham also taught him how to worship and about his experiences with God, also about the promises God had made to him. Abraham loved Ishmael very much and was looking forward to building a future with him at his side. And for thirteen years Abraham thought he had fulfilled God's will.

Then one day God told Abraham that Ishmael was not the son he had planned for him. The promised son would come through his wife Sarah, and not through the bondslave leased to him by his wife. Ouch, that must have really hurt, but God didn't condemn him. The pain he felt was nothing in comparison to what he would go through a few years later.

One day Sarah saw something about Ishmael that upset her. And so she complained to Abraham about "your son" Ishmael and his mother, and told him to get rid of them. She didn't want Ishmael to have any part in her son's inheritance. (Genesis 21:9-14.) This distressed Abraham greatly, but that night God indicated to him that it was time for Abraham to say goodbye to Ishmael. I'm sure the Patriarch thought somehow his two sons would grow up together, then sometime in the future they would go their separate ways; but not now. However, God told him to do whatever his wife told him.

Abraham's next step could have been as hard as leaving his household in Haran. He was cutting off his own flesh and blood, his first born son. He was also cutting off any dreams they might have shared together. In fact those events seemed huge, almost drastic if not for the promises of God. The actions the next morning were unthinkable, and the emotions between father and son were unimaginable. But, Abraham obeyed God.

Ishmael was rejected by God because he was the work of Abraham's flesh, and not of the will of God. There have always been people who have built their dreams on sheer human effort. Some use their gifts, talents, money, muscles or brainpower to build their dreams and castles. And for the most part much of what they have built appears to be successful. This lifestyle is normal for people who don't know Christ.

It's unfortunate that this also applies to many Christians and ministers, past and present, who have mostly, through ignorance, given birth to "Ishmaels." Many careers, possessions, ministries and even some marriages have been "birthed" by human effort, and not faith. Many Christians mistakenly eat from the good side of the Tree of Knowledge, because they're not listening or obeying God. They want something or they do something for God, all with good intentions and sincere hearts, believing God approves of their actions. (I've done the same thing.) They often proceed prematurely into a profession, a calling or even a relationship, without waiting on God. And they usually end up with everything from "burn-outs," false kingdoms, and sometimes even broken marriages. It comes down to a matter of human desire verses the will of God.

Just because a Christian has a successful job or business, an expensive house and car, or a big church or ministry, doesn't mean that it was the will of God. Most of what we have seen in Christianity today has come from human striving and efforts to achieve them, and not from works of faith and feasting from the Tree of Life. The works of the flesh will always benefit someone, sometimes even the public.

We are to trust and obey God by faith, waiting on his timing. Then we will see the fruit of His promises. He will also tell us when it's time to move or let go, at least if our hearts are toward Him. The outcome will be beyond anything we could imagine. Our visions and goals should come from what God can do. What people think is important is often vain or minuscule compared to God's plans, because He thinks in terms of eternity and so should we.

Every one of us has made choices we thought were right, just like Abraham did with the birth of Ishmael; choices that seemed logical at the time, even thinking it was the will of God because of circumstances, but it wasn't at all the will of God. It is true that only time will tell whether our works will pass the test of God's fire. (I Cor.3:10-14). And other times we will see it come to ruin by people's own devices. My desire is to follow God's heart and do what He wants by waiting on his timing and not mine.

A year and nine months ago I left Eastern Washington to follow God. I went another direction than I had ever thought possible. Last month I told my wife that it was not God's plan for me to move back to our house. It was now part of the past and not the future. A few days ago I took another step and called my son-in-law. I told him that we would not be moving back to our house, which they are now living in since we are in an apartment in Vancouver, Washington. Then I added that they could live in the house as long as they wanted. I also stated that following Jesus Christ can sometimes be inconvenient and other times it can be very costly. But, I'm going to follow him, no matter what the cost, and he understood. I don't know where we will live or go after this, but I believe we'll be ready.

As I write this article I hope you understand that I wasn't only leaving material things, but was leaving close family ties, also my hopes and dreams that I once thought were God's. For many years I thought we would minister to the people in our city and county from our home and a large art studio both built by faith. Our house and studio could be seen from the freeway. We named of our place Shiloh. I painted a large Shiloh sign on the front of the studio that was visible to those who drove by. The name Shiloh means, "to whom it belongs." And so it does, our family and everything we have belongs to Him. It's time for us to move on, and maybe our family will be the ones to minister from there. Whatever happens, our sacrifice will be worth it.

I'm not doing this to impress people or for the rewards promised in Mark 10:29-30, but for Jesus and for seeing others set free. There are costs and crosses in serving our Lord that have been demonstrated by all disciples of Jesus. My desire is to encourage all my brothers and sisters not to hold on to things, hopes or dreams that God might want to change, but instead to follow Jesus. Ask Him to reveal to you any possible Ishmael you may have, then be willing to say goodbye to them. Sometimes even what may have been the will of God in the beginning can change or be for just for a season. However, such a thing can become an Ishmael if we don't let go of it when God prompts us to do so. Such I believe was our situation; it was time to let go and reach for a bigger vision and dream. God wants to take us all to higher levels of faith, possibly different directions from what we once thought. You won't regret it. However, if it's not painful when you leave or let go of it, it was probably not an Ishmael.

Lets Make a Deal

The game show, Let's Make a Deal, is a show that features special prizes that the host offers, prizes that are hidden behind certain doors and curtains. A contestant makes an agreement with the host not knowing what is hidden behind the door or curtain. Sometimes the prize is good and other times not so good. It's been the longest running TV show in history. But the concept has been on going on since the dawn of time.

The "Game of Life" began in the Garden of Eden. God offered Adam a choice between two doors (two options). The first door was the Tree of Life, and the second door was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Each possessed a prize (consequence) that Adam didn't yet know about. Adam chose the wrong door. And the Game of Life has continued ever since. And so have the prizes (blessings) and the consequences (curses).

In the book of Joshua, God gave the children of Israel a choice: "...choose you this day whom ye will serve..." (Joshua 24:15 KJV). The prizes were Life and Blessings or Death and Curses. The Israelites often chose the wrong door, over and over. They kept trying to make deals with Almighty God, all the while falling away from His original intent. When they did choose correctly, they prospered and flourished. But as time would proceed they would fail again to keep their side of the deal.

Not a lot had changed since then. Fourteen hundred years later, Jesus graciously gave man another opportunity to choose. Here, Jesus represented the host and His promises are the prizes. The offer He gives mankind is incredible: You give me your messy, sick, lonely, and broken lives, and I'll give you my whole, healthy and prosperous life; all I ask is that you simply love Me with all your heart and others as yourself. Essentially, if you will deny yourself interests, take up your cross and follow me (doing as I do, speaking my words), then I will bless you and give you authority over everything on earth, with the bonus of eternal Life with me. Wow, that's an incredible deal,(covenant). Through out history there were those who diligently strove to abide in the covenant of Life and Blessings while many others just wanted to rewrite the rules to suit themselves.

Today, almost 2000 years after Jesus' offer, many of us are still trying to negotiate our way out of the original deal with Jesus; especially, when thing don't go the way we want or think they should. Why is it that we seem unable trust in His complete knowledge of all things, His great power and unceasing love to accomplish His will for each of us? Do we really think that we know better than Him? Is the promised deal of God, still not good enough?

When it come to an either or situation, many of us still want our cake and ice cream too. Yes, we meant to give God our all when we took Him up on His offer. But when the excitement of the honeymoon wore off of our new relationship, and the communication didn't always connect, many of us started to interpret what we thought He really meant and the cost involved. We begin looking for advice from others and used them as examples to follow, especially if they been a Christian longer. After all they should know more, besides God loves us anyway, just the way we are and He set us free from sins. He won't mind if we make a few changes along the way. We to often assume that since He says nothing, and no lighting bolts have struck us down, it must be OK. However, God is very patient and loving toward us, but he doesn't think the way we do. Nor has he changed his mind or His Word. To think or believe that He accepts our excuses or our double-mindedness to the deal we agreed upon is foolish. Or, were we only kidding at the start?

Here's a list of some of the deals we've tried to negotiate with God (after our original deal was made).

1) I know, I agreed to give you everything, but, now that I think about it — that's not realistic — I'll give whatever I can spare— OK?

2) I also agreed to love You with all my heart, but how does that work with all my other obligations, I still love You—most of the time.

3) I know, I should forgive as You forgave me, but its not that easy; not to mention the part about blessing them too!

5) I know your Word commands me to take up my cross and follow you, but ...I've got a busy life. I have kids to get to soccer practice; hair appointment; favorite TV shows; vacation—I'll try harder to work you in.

6) I believe, "the Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want...He leads me...and I will fear no evil for you are with me". Yeah, yeah, but I still need to look out for myself too—don't I?

7) I know you are my healer, but is it OK to see the doctor, if I don't feel better in the morning?

8) I know I committed to your Lordship, yet don't I have the right to choose who and when I get married and when and how many children we will have, and where I will live and how I will make my living and, and, and....?

9) Sorry, I'm busy! I'll get to it later...tomorrow...someday?

10) Not now, I'm tired!

The list could go on and on... But, the point I'm making, is that every time we make an excuse or take back our rights, we're trying to negotiating a new deal with God. These excuses can become little idols, and demanding our "rights" is nothing more than rebellion. Yet, this is not what we agreed to when we first asked Jesus into our hearts and lives. Sometimes we sing to God, songs like,"I surrender all...all to Jesus I freely give." But is that just lip service? God's word tells us that we are to have no idols before Him or after Him (physical ones or mental ones). Everything and everyone will find it's proper place afterward. We are to love Him with all our heart, mind, and with all our strength; and that hasn't changed. The Bible tells us, we are to consider the cost before we make decisions.(II Sam. 24:24 and Luke 14:26-35). Apostle Paul said, that he kept his desires in subjection daily. This cost is often not emphasised enough in the message or deal offered from the pulpits today. When we chose God's way it will cost us because we have chosen to die to our old ways and desires; and now we've chosen to trust and obey Him completely. As a result of that choice, we won't need to make another deal because, the first one was sealed with His blood. I trust you'll find this to be true.