Navigating Change with Faith: Lessons from Abraham

Transitions are a part of life. Sometimes, they are unexpected, like experiencing a loss or stepping into the unknown. Other times, they are anticipated, such as starting a new job, relocating, or entering a new phase of life. In either moment, what we often crave is a sense of direction. We humans like to have control over our circumstances, but this is not always possible, especially when the transition requires trusting God throughout the process.  

I find myself in this new season of life, transitioning into a new job, a new location, and a new phase of life. There are many unknowns regarding this new calling for my family, but I take comfort in knowing that God is guiding the way. I find Abraham’s story especially relevant, and I'll share more about how his journey speaks to my own as we explore the critical points of his journey.

 Abraham’s story is a powerful example of what it means to trust God during a time of transition. God called him to leave everything familiar—his homeland, his people, and his sense of security. The call was simple yet profoundly uncertain because it was merely to “the land which I will show you” (Gen 12:1). God provided no specifics or guarantees—just a promise that He would guide him.

Can you relate to Abraham? Have you ever felt that God was guiding you toward something new yet struggled with fear, uncertainty, or hesitation? I know I find myself in the same season as Abraham. Abraham teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers—it is about trusting in the one who does. We will explore Abraham’s journey of trust during times of transition and see what we can learn about trusting God when he calls us into the unknown.

The Call To Leave (Genesis 12.1)

“Now the Lord said to Abram, go forth from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you;”

For Abraham, this was a call into the unknown. It was a simple call, but it was life-altering for him. It required him to leave his country, his people, and his relatives. This was more than just a move to a different city—it was a call to trust God. Abraham had to detach himself from everything he had known and step into something completely new—solely because God had called him.

The truth is, leaving is hard. Whether it is a career change, a relocation, or a transition into a new phase of life, stepping into the unknown feels unsettling. I find myself asking the following questions.

Where am I going?

What if this does not work out?

What if I was wrong about the call God placed upon my family?

Abraham had no guarantees or a clear path—all he had was the assurance that God would be with him during the transition. Maybe you feel the same way I do and sense that God is calling you toward something new. As I begin the transition to the lead pastor position at Dighton Wesleyan, I deeply resonate with Abraham’s story. I find myself in a season of uncertainty. Like Abraham, I am stepping into an unfamiliar place, trusting that God guides my steps. My family and I may not have all the answers, but we know God is faithful, just as he was with Abraham.

God told him to go, and through that act of obedience, he witnessed the promise and blessings of God that followed. Most of the time, we only see these after obedience, not before. If he had stayed, he would have never seen God’s plan unfold—he would have never known how God would use his story to become the father of many nations. Abraham’s call reminds us that faith is not about certainty—it is about trust. As I navigate my own transition, I am learning that trusting God means letting go of my desire to control and trusting His plan, even when I do not see the complete picture.

Abraham was not only called to leave but called to something greater. In the following verses, God promises a future filled with blessings, purpose, and impact.

The Promise of the Blessing (Genesis 12.2-3)

“And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

This was more than just a promise of personal success—it was a covenant that would impact generations to come. God reassures Abraham that his obedience will not be in vain. Even though he is stepping into uncertainty, God promises his divine favor and protection. Given that he and his wife Sarah were childless at the time, it seems pretty far-fetched that a great nation would arise from childless parents. When God calls us into something new, we can trust that he is not leading us into failure but into his greater purpose. We may not be able to see the full picture, but God has a call and a plan for our lives. God was going to use him to be a blessing for others. It was through his obedience that Abraham brought transformation to those around him for future generations. And down through those generations, we see the ultimate blessing of Jesus, who would bring salvation to all the nations. The truth is, God’s blessings are never for us alone; they are for those around us as well. God will use our obedience to impact others.

Stepping into this new role is overwhelming. There are many unknowns, but Abraham reminds me that this transition is not just about me—it is about God’s mission through me. God’s story is bigger and better than mine, and I trust that God will use this new season to bless others. 

God’s promises are powerful, but they require a response from us. Abraham had every reason to be hesitant about the change, but through his faith, he demonstrated his obedience to God—radical obedience in the face of uncertainty.

Immediate Obedience (Genesis 12.4)

“So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”

He had a choice: would he trust God enough to obey? Abraham did not delay, negotiate, or even ask for further details. He simply went. Abraham stepped out in obedience without a detailed plan. He received instructions to go with no timeline, no safety net, and no clear destination. I have often sought more details, as having more information allows for better decision-making. Many of us want the complete picture before taking the first step. But faith requires that we trust God enough to move forward, even if we do not have all the answers. The truth is that if God is calling us to something new, He will equip us for the journey. I know there are challenges ahead, but obedience is not about knowing everything—it is about trusting God in the process. I move forward not because of my own certainty but because of the certainty that God has called me and is the one leading. 

For Abraham, the journey was not easy. When he arrived in Canaan, he found the land occupied and faced many difficulties along the way. Our journey is not without obstacles and struggles—it means that we trust God through it all, knowing He is faithful throughout it all.

Facing Challenges in the Journey (Genesis 12.6-9)

“Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.  Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.”

We often think that after obedience, blessings will come immediately. We expect instant clarity and immediate results, but Abraham’s story shows us that following God can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges. He expected to enter the land but found it was already occupied. I’m sure this was a disappointment for him as he was following God’s call. This was the promised land, but others were already living there. Sometimes, we are called to walk in faith even when the reality does not align with what God has spoken. 

Walking into this new role brings me a lot of excitement, but I also know there will be challenges. There are unknowns, moments when I may wonder how everything will unfold. Even in our uncertainty, God’s promise is not uncertain. 

Abraham responded with his worship and by building an altar. He did not wait until he was completely certain about everything. Instead, he chose to worship and glorify the Lord. He gave praise before the promise was fulfilled. This was truly an act of surrender. Our worship should not depend on our circumstances; it should focus on the presence of God in our lives. Faith is an ongoing journey, and we must continue to trust God every step of the way. Stepping into this new season is not just a single act of obedience but a continual journey of trust. Like Abraham, I am reminded to keep moving forward, worshiping him along the way, trusting that he is leading each step. 

Abraham’s journey teaches us that transition requires:

Leaving comfort behind (Gen 12.1)

Trusting in God’s promises (Gen 12.2-3)

Obedience without complete clarity (Gen 12.4)

Faith preserved through challenges (Gen 12.6-9) 

God’s faithfulness to Abraham reminds us that our journey is not about the destination but about our trust in God. We often resist change because we want so badly to have control, but faith often requires us to move before we see clarity. For me, there are unknowns, moments of doubt, and challenges ahead. But just like Abraham, I trust that God is leading this transition—not just for me but for my family, the church, and the community we are stepping into.

Where is God calling you to trust him in your life?

What comfort is he asking you to leave behind?

How can you worship in the waiting?

God doesn’t promise an easy road, but he does promise to be with you every step of the way, just as he did with Abraham. When he calls you to venture into the unknown, will you trust him enough to take the leap?