-PETER BARNABAS PAMULA
TRAVELING the journey of faith simply means to take full responsibility of the risks and consequences of the decisions we make in life.
In fact, the only way to excel in our career or business or any endeavor is to take risks and seize the opportunities. Many successful people on earth would honestly relate very well with radical leadership. Radical leadership in any sphere brings reformation and transformation. In order for us to develop, a great deal of radical leadership is necessary. Unless, we are prepared to take the risk, we are not able to reform and transform for the good in the journey of faith.
Abraham was radical leader. He conceived in his mind a basic framework of the journey of faith and acted in faith to take risks based on the promises of God. He deeply understood that when God makes a promise, he would keep it even if the journey might seem impossible and unpredictable at first. Surely, He will make a way. So Abraham traveled the journey of faith and made a difference in the world with radical leadership!
The Hebrew word for Abraham means "father of a multitude". The name was conceived from God as a result of the covenant initiation. Initially, he was called Abram, the Hebrew for "exalted father". But, after the exodus from Egypt, he assumed a covenantal name, a name that would be used by three major world religions to trace their origin. (Genesis 17: 5) Obviously, Judaism, Christianity and Islam trace their roots to Abraham. While Christianity and Islam are off-shoots of Judaism, a great decree of injustice was done to Abraham in relation to the promise of God.
The change of name would necessarily mean change of status and role in the community. For example, when the Government recognizes our services to the community and country, we are given awards and recognition as a token of appreciation. The awards and recognition elevates our status and credibility in the eyes of the community and country. Likewise, Abraham's status was elevated after he left Egypt as a result of divine intervention.
In Genesis 12: 17, God plagued Pharaoh with strange plagues. The reason these plagues landed on the throne of Pharaoh was because, God wants to keep His promise to bless Abraham and make his name great in all the earth. The Pharaoh enquired Abraham whether Sarah was truly his sister. The King uncovered the truth! She was the wife of Abraham. The king realized that to have Sarah as his wife would create more problems for his leadership and immediately told his soldiers to escort Abraham's household out of Egypt.
Abraham went out of Egypt as a wealthy person (Genesis 13: 1). How could that be possible? Sometimes we underestimate God's ability to provide and care for us. We become skeptical of the unordinary and draw our own conclusions. But behind all the events, God is the one that orchestrates favor in our behalf.
Nothing would substitute such favor and mercy of God. How much should we compensate Him for all the daily provisions in our lives? Nothing! God is supreme and His promise to take us through in the journey of faith must not be taken for granted. Our faithfulness to the covenant is crucial for Him to fulfill His promise and purpose in our lives. So be a radical leader to make a difference in the world. (To be Cont'd)
The writer is a Papua New Guinean student studying Masters in Religion at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), Silang, Cavite, Philippines. For comments I can be contacted on email: pamulap@aiias.edu or cell phone +639391773655.
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