Milestones

“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.” Genesis 13,14 (ESV)

The spiritual life of a believer in Jesus Christ has milestones, should have milestones.

Like in the natural, a baby is born, they begin to grow and develop. They hit “milestones”: they begin to eat food (solid food), they begin to walk, they begin to speak, etc. In fact, pediatricians have parameters by which they can gauge a child’s development.

Abram’s experience or encounter with God in Genesis 13,14-17 was a milestone among many he experienced. (Abram was named Abraham later) Previously, God had told Him to leave his country, his father’s house and go to a land He would show him (Genesis 12,1); promising him that He would make him a great nation, bless him and make him a blessing. Abram obeyed God and left. Among the people who went with him was Lot, his nephew. Now, greatness and blessing started to show and Abram became very wealthy and Lot also had many possessions.

“Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock...” (Genesis 13,6-7 NKJV)

“So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife and disagreement between you and me, nor between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, because we are relatives. Is not the entire land before you? Please separate [yourself] from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left.” (Genesis 13,8-9 AMP)

The things of God have a progression. There are things that are linked to each other.

There are things that give way to other things. Abraham could not stand the strife over the land because of his many flocks. He chose peace with his nephew and gave him the option to go wherever it pleased him.

I believe this act propelled Abraham to a new dimension. It proved He was ready for the next level.

He did not hold on to land nor fought for what looked like the best choice and God made Him the heir of the whole world. Romans 4,13 reveals to us that God was not just talking about the land of Canaan where Abraham was but it was the whole world, the whole earth.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalm 23,5-6 (NKJV)

God never forgets our prayers. He never forgets His promises. He never forgets the plan He has for each one of us. Although we may forget, what God started has never stopped. The engine never stopped. In fact, He wants to engage the next gear.

However, in such instances, circumstances may change from the usual, from what is familiar. You may find yourself in things you were not prepared for. “Lift up your eyes” this is what God told Abraham. Lift up your eyes, you are on new grounds. Lift up your eyes and see your inheritance.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2,9 NKJV)

God is at work. May you see and recognize what He is doing in your life.

May you answer the call to go higher; to the next level, and to be willing to learn and unlearn.

Because moving upward, it is required that things be done according to God's terms, not according to anyone else’s. Congratulations, this is what God's promotion looks like.

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Ephesians 2,9-10 (AMPC)