April 2024
“You’re like a hairdresser, but for guys.” I used to tell this to my boss often as I watch him listen and pour into men who walk into his shop everyday. You’d never think a mechanic could have something in common with a hairdresser, but that would be far from the truth. I loved working for him because as his scheduling ninja, I’d get to hear so many people’s stories. Some tales were sad, some were adventurous, and some were just downright hilarious. For example, one time I laughed with a customer at work as we discussed my daughter’s hesitancy to take her drivers permit test. We marveled at the irony that she was concerned for others' safety, when most kids would jump at the opportunity to get behind the wheel for the first time. This particular conversation led us down a trail of our own childhood driving experiences, and we swapped stories for quite a few minutes. The highlight was when he told me he was pulled over by a police officer at nine-years-old for driving their family pick-up off the farm. This man was an adventurous little bundle of joy from the beginning! His poor mother, ha!
From the beginning of time, God has had a story to tell, too. We can see a layer of it unfold through the stories of men like Abraham. He was the first in God's plan for redemption, and his mantle was to pass the story down from generation to generation. Tucked within the pages of Genesis, we read of God's promise and Abraham's mantle: “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3, NLT). God promised Abe’s descendants would be greater than the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. What a blessing for a man who didn’t even have a child yet! As modern readers, we love the effects of that promised legacy: the birth of the nation of Israel and ultimately the Messiah. I can’t help but wonder though: have we overlooked the statement, “All the families on earth will be blessed through you”? ‘Cause let’s be real: the Israelites didn’t exactly have a lot of friends - just ask the Philistines, Canaanites, Babylonians and Assyrians. Everywhere they went there seemed to be either a battle over land, people, money, or just pride itself. How could the nations benefit from a warring, yet sometimes pesky and weak little nation? God clarifies again to Abraham in chapter 22, “through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.” Wait. All the nations? You mean people from Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar’s nations would be blessed and not just Abe’s family? How is this even possible? Because there was a bigger story to be told, and it was told through the lives of people - whether they were the opposition or not.
The same story was told through twelve men who spread its good news throughout Europe and Asia-Minor. It was passed on from generation to generation, and today we benefit from its words. It’s a story of a God who loves His people deeply, desires for their good, and keeps their eternity at the forefront of His mind. He’s not harsh with them, watching and waiting to pass judgment. No! He is waiting patiently, praying on their behalf, for them to turn from their sinful ways and instead turn to Him.
My concern is we've typically marked Jesus' birth as the beginning of this big story and thus missed out on the REAL beginning. Yes, Jesus coming literally changed everything! His death and resurrection allowed everyone to be included in His family, and that’s nothing to be ignored. But don’t be confused - these separate stories of Abraham and Jesus are actually the plot of one single story. God told Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his descendants because they were carriers of this very special story: the story of who God is. When Abraham’s nephew lost his home due to God’s fury, it showed God’s power to the nations. When Moses was spared as a baby and grew up to lead God's people toward the land of Canaan, it showed the nations God’s ability to keep His promises. When Joshua led the people into victory over Jericho, it displayed to the surrounding nations God's willingness to use people to get the job done. And when Hannah’s son Samuel heard God’s voice calling his name as a child, it showed the nations God’s care and love that He pours on His people. This God of the Israelites was like no other god they had known before - He was so much more.
When we do our part to pass on the narrative, we not only bring hope and light to those living in darkness, we honor those who lived their lives as a testimony of it. Abraham’s legacy continues through us! All the nations of the earth will be blessed - if we share the story.
Who can you share the good news with this week? Whether it’s at work, coffee with a friend, or sitting in your hairdresser’s chair, swap a story that could change someone’s life.