At the high school age a lot of change is about to take place: whether going to college, getting into a relationship, moving out, or simply just being done with high school. This change can be rather stressful, perhaps in a positive way or a negative way. It can weigh on us emotionally and perhaps even spiritually as our environment we’ve gotten so used to now changes. Thankfully we have the Word to help comfort and show us how to cope in this transition time.
In Genesis chapter 12 Abraham deals with change. He is told to leave his country.
(Genesis 12:1) He was told to go to another country that God would show him. Abraham was to leave his own country and away from his family and from his father’s house.
If you are leaving or moving soon, you can relate to Abraham in that you have to leave your family and your home. That is a lot to leave behind. You’re leaving behind memories, certain smells, people, street names you’ve memorized, and so much more.
However, with pretty much anything, there are pros and cons that come with this. Which is what we will be focusing on.
Good Things Will Come
(Genesis 12:2-3) Abraham is told great things are going to come to him if he does as God has commanded him to do. Abraham will receive a great name, a great nation, and blessings from the Almighty God.
We can relate here as we are also promised great things if we do as God has commanded. These promises may not be fulfilled immediately—as Abraham’s promises were not fulfilled short term—but in the end and ultimately they will be fulfilled.
(Matthew 5:2-12) Here we read what the commands are and what the promise is. Just as Abraham’s command was to go, and his promise was that he would be blessed, our command is to follow Christ and the promise is that we will receive our reward in Heaven.
Back in Genesis 12 reading verses 4-6 we see Abram did as God commanded him to do. He left his country and went to a land God showed him. As a follower of God, you can relate to Abram here. Just as Abram did as God had commanded, we are to obey God’s commandments (John 14:15).
Abraham loved God and trusted Him, so he did exactly as He commanded him. As you may be going through changes—moving out, going to college, getting a new job—a good example to follow is Abram’s example and to trust and follow God. Without hesitation, without question.
(Genesis 12:7-8) God again promises Abram great things to come into his life. And notice Abram’s response: he builds an alter before the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
Now we know from Acts 22:16 that calling upon the name of the Lord is the same as putting Christ on in baptism. So did Abraham get baptized here after he built the alter? Well, no. Calling on the name of the Lord here is the same as serving Him (Zephaniah 3:9). He built an alter and served God.
How can we relate to Abraham here? After Abraham did what God told him to do, he continued to serve God. As we have done what God has commanded us to do, do we continue to strive to serve Him? Are we staying diligent (2 Peter 1:5-7)?
This can be a very difficult thing to do after going through such a huge life change. Perhaps you are planning to go to college; picture yourself moving into your dorm room, settling down, then starting classes. When will you take time to pray? When will you take time each day to look into His Word?
For Abraham, it was the first thing he did when he got to this new country. Will serving God be the first thing on your priority list?
Bad Things Will Come
(Genesis 12:9-10) Here we read that there was a famine in the land—a severe famine.
After you have gone through this big change (of maybe moving or getting into a relationship) there will be negative stressors. You may have loved ones who get sick, friends that break your heart, financial issues, mental health issues, and possibly other things that come to you.
Just as Abraham had to deal with a sever famine, we most likely will have to deal with troubles and trials. For we know there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Abram again sets us an example here, but this time it is what not to do: (Genesis 12: 11-16). Worried Abraham decided to pave his own way and make sure that his life would not be in danger over Pharaoh.
A lot of times we want to make things a certain way because we think that is the best way. Just as Abraham did, we leave God out of the equation. You might date that boy that isn’t going to help you get to Heaven thinking you need a husband for the future; go to that school to get your degree when the school is clearly discouraging your faith and leading you away from God; or move to a new town and forget to let your light shine when you meet new neighbors and people of the community.
When going through a huge change, will you forget about your Heavenly Father Who cares so deeply for you and will help you even in worrisome times?
Let’s read what Abraham’s consequences are after “leaving God out”: (Genesis 12:17-19). Here we read in verse 17 that God took care of Abraham even though Abraham made the wrong choice.
Because of Abraham’s choice, he was no longer welcomed in Pharaoh’s house, and Pharaoh was punished because of the impression Abraham gave him.
But it’s important to realize that God will take care of you. God’s got your back. You’re going to make mistakes—just as Abraham did—and chances are, other people will have to suffer the consequences of your mistakes too, but that does not mean God has left you.
Even if you date the wrong guy and realize after months of dating him that he’s a bad influence on you, you still have God to help guide you out of that. And even if you go to college and realize months after being there it’s weighing on your faith, you still have God to turn back to and pray to. Even if you move to a new town and have forgotten your love of God and of the lost, you still have God to turn to and ask for help. God’s got you.
2 Peter 3:9 says that He is not willing that any should perish. God’s not going to leave you in the dark. If you end up in the dark it is because you chose to be there. Every hour is another chance to turn back to Him if you have sinned against Him. Just remember you don’t know when will be your last hour (2 Peter 3:10 says the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly).
Conclusion
A big change can lead to both good things and bad things. God has promised good things to those that love and obey Him. Genesis 13:2 reads that the promises God gave Abraham were fulfilled. He will fulfill the promises given to us as well!
But as humans are, we will make mistakes and bad things will happen. Being worried over these things and making your own way, instead of turning to God will lead to consequences. When you are worried something is going to go bad, I encourage you to pray first and ask God to be with you and that this situation will go well. God does answer prayer!
May you always look to God when good changes and bad changes come your way, especially during big changes at this age. God is not going to leave you (Hebrews 13:5) and He does want the best for you (Romans 8:38-39).
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