“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

There is a strange reality about faith that often makes it look entirely foolish to the rest of the world. It propels everyday people to take steps that defy human logic.

I once had a friend who packed up her life, left her family, and moved to Costa Rica. She had no one to share the burden, no promised financial support, and no long-term place to stay. She simply heard God tell her to go, so she went. Her choice sparked a wave of deep criticism from those around her, but she stepped out anyway. And God, true to His word, supplied exactly what she needed. He brought her into a beautiful, supportive community of people who shared her vision.

While her story might sound unusual, it echoes a much older journey. Thousands of years ago, a man named Abraham experienced the exact same call. The writer of Hebrews captures this monumental shift in his life:

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

God approached Abraham with a staggering command: leave your country, your people, and your father’s household. Step out of everything comfortable and familiar. In return, God offered a massive promise, saying He would make Abraham into a great nation and bless all people on earth through him (Genesis 12:2-3).

At seventy-five years old, without a single child to his name, Abraham weighed this promise. He chose to believe. He packed up his life and started walking toward an unseen inheritance, fully trusting that God would somehow provide the son He promised along the way.

Here is a beautiful truth about his journey: Abraham spent the rest of his earthly life living like a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. He never built a permanent earthly home. What makes this account so profound is his confident expectation. He used his faith to perceive a distant reality instead of getting bogged down by his immediate circumstances.

The scriptures tell us exactly what kept him moving forward: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Abraham saw through the eyes of faith. He recognized what God would do if he simply believed and obeyed. He chose the eternal promises of God over the temporary comforts of the world.

This type of faith still makes people uncomfortable today. It requires us to look past our current reality and trust in a future we cannot yet touch. We must look forward with spiritual eyes, holding firmly to the truth that God is always faithful to His promises. When you choose to follow His instructions, even when the path ahead looks completely uncertain, you step into the incredible reward that only comes through a life of faith.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. When has God asked you to leave something familiar behind? What helps you find courage to take that first step of faith?

2. When is it hardest for you to trust God’s promises in your current situation? What would it look like to trust Him today?

3. How can you put God’s eternal promises ahead of daily comforts this week?