Genesis 12:4-5
So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

There is no “by faith, they did nothing” in the Bible. Faith spurred people to go, to take a step, to complete some task. Faith spurred into action—believing God and trusting Him completely. They went where He said and did what He asked. Faith is not sitting back and hoping for something to happen, but nor is it charging forward carelessly in order to make something happen. It is knowing what God has asked and acting upon it how He wants us to. It is surrendering control, understanding that God knows best, and allowing His will to be done.

What did Abraham do but simply depart. He left Haran and went to Canaan. In other words, he moved. He packed up his stuff, and he and his family went to live in a different home. Many of us have probably done the same thing in our lives, perhaps several times. Usually we move out of our parents’ home first to pursue our own life and family apart from them. Maybe we move to a new city or state for a job or other opportunity. Maybe we move to a warmer climate when we retire.

But what if we moved simply because God told us to and we didn’t know what we might find in this place we were headed? What if we weren’t sure where we’d live or how we’d pay the bills or if we’d find a job? How willing to go would we be then? Abraham was willing to move simply because God told him to. He didn’t know anything about Canaan. He didn’t know anybody there. He had what God had given to him and the faith that that was enough.

Are we staying behind in old places—old mind-sets, old attitudes, or even an actual place—when God wants to move us somewhere else? Are we afraid to face the unknown of what God has for us? Let’s ask God for strength to move, for the courage to take that step, for the faith to leave home and head for something greater. Imagine if Abraham had stayed home, where it was comfortable, familiar, and safe. Look at all the opportunities he would have missed out on. The same is true for us. If we stay home when God has called us to move, we’ll miss out on what He has for us and forfeit opportunities to honor Him and grow in faith.