As

a child and now as a parent, I have been a part of moments of

leaving. Tears are sometimes shed. Hugs are shared.

We

are not sure what kind of leaving Abram and his wife, Sarai, and

their nephew Lot experienced, but we do know that God called them on

a journey with him.

God

was on the move to redeem his world and to restore people to

himself—and we can see that in the promises of blessing that he

gave to Abram in Genesis 12.

God

works through people, and as he makes us his people—his family, his

church—God seeks to mold us as a people of blessing. God promised

Abram and his descendants abundant blessings, but those were never

meant to be just for them. They were called out as a family to become

a blessing to all families.

When

we think of leaving and blessing, we can also think of Jesus’

leaving from heaven to come and live with us. He came to bring us

grace and eternal life, but these gifts became available because

Jesus was willing to leave heaven for our sake.

Maybe

you are in a season of leaving. If so, may God give you strength for

the journey. And wherever you are, may you know that God wants to

bless people through you.