The greatest storybook of all is the Bible, and it covers many important themes that can help us to navigate our own lives. We learn how others did or didn’t overcome tragedies, loss of loved ones, betrayal and disappointments. The stories in Scripture can stir up questions and raise doubts, but also provide insight for daily living, empower us and fuel our faith.
Although some stories may make us feel uncomfortable or lead us to question the characters’ and God’s intentions, we also find valuable life lessons. In Genesis, Abraham’s faith is tested by God in what seems like an irrational way. God commands Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. After Isaac is bound to an altar, a messenger from God stops Abraham before the sacrifice is made, saying, “now I know you fear God.” God requests Abraham to commit an unthinkable act to test his faith. But Abraham placed his full trust in God and withheld nothing from Him.
When we reflect on this story, we realize that to deepen our faith, we must let go and give up all that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Like Abraham, our faith is tested in different ways as we move through the seasons of life. Unlike Abraham, we aren’t called to sacrifice our children, but we are challenged not to let materialism, greed, selfishness, careers or even people become the center of our lives. Some days we adhere to the call, while on others we may not, giving into what comes easily.
The story of how God tests Abraham is only one of the many narratives we find in the Bible that inspire and fuel our faith. For example, Joseph’s willingness to forgive his brothers who sold him into slavery reminds us that forgiveness can heal a family. The small boy, who gave Jesus his two fish and five loaves of bread, shows us that God can multiply our simple resources to make a difference in our world. These and many other stories can renew our spirit as we navigate daily life.
