“Are we there yet?”  “Almost; how about I pull over and let you walk the rest of the way?” Okay, I never actually had that exchange with my kids, but I was thinking it.  More than once.  I bet God has the same thoughts about our whiny ways.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews: 11:8-10)

Abraham, our father in the faith and the supreme model of faithfulness in the Hebrew Scriptures, pitches a tent in the Promised Land, but he never possesses it.  He never builds a little bungalow or a cottage.  He was just passing through.  He received the promise.  He left home.  Forever.  But he never made his home in the land God promised to give him.

Us too, so far. We venture out in answer to God’s invitation to life and blessing.  From time to time we pitch a tent in the neighborhood of the place of blessing, but for long stretches of time we wander without ever setting foot in the promised land.  We find ourselves in alien territory; definitely not the place of blessing God promised.

There is always the option of going back and giving up, but faith looks forward to a city with foundations – not a tent city, but a permanent dwelling in the place of blessing.  Until then, we keep moving ahead.

That’s our journey. We’re pilgrim people.  We live in hope.  Until we know perfect peace.  Until oppression is no more and hunger is a distant memory.  Until our heart’s deepest longings are fulfilled.  Until our selfishness and sin is demolished, we remain tent people.  Even when we’re in enemy territory we keep the vision of the Promised Land in our hearts and seek to plant it under our feet – wherever we stand. 

Prayer:  God of Abraham and Sarah, you call us to journey in faith.  Thank you for occasions when we pitch our tents in the place of blessing.  Amen.