Being in the way ∙∙

Being in the way ∙∙

Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren. – Genesis 24:27- KJV

Genesis 24:4-27

4 [Abraham said] go to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac
7 For the LORD, the God of heaven . . . will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.

12 “O LORD, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham.
14 This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ – let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”

15 Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out . . .
17 Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”
18 “Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink.
19 When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.”

26 The man bowed low and worshiped the LORD.
27 “Praise the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. “The LORD has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.”

Life was once relatively simple, but as we moved into the latter part of the 20th century and now into the whirlwind of the future-shocked 21st century, it has become almost overwhelmingly complex.

The Getting Things Done (GTD) system offers a method to organize and boost productivity amidst this chaos. GTD simplifies the process of managing to-dos, priorities, and schedules, making them more manageable. It helps you clearly see your obligations and decide what to tackle next. Transferring your tasks from your mind to a structured format frees you from mental clutter and enhances efficiency (https://lifehacker.com).

The aim is to streamline necessary tasks to free up more time for activities you truly enjoy. The system emphasizes capturing, organizing, and prioritizing your work.

GTD outlines five steps to help you stay organized:

1. Capture everything: Record your tasks, ideas, and recurring responsibilities in a notebook, a to-do app, or a planner. Jot them down as they occur to avoid thinking about them until it’s time to act.
2. Clarify tasks: Instead of vague goals like “Plan meals,” break tasks into actionable steps to eliminate barriers to completion.
3. Organize by category and priority: Assign due dates, set reminders, and ensure tasks are categorized and prioritized correctly.
4. Reflect on your list: Review your to-dos regularly to determine your next step. Monitor progress and adjust priorities as necessary.
5. Engage and act: Select your next task and dive in. With tasks prioritized and categorized into manageable steps, you can efficiently work through your plan.

In biblical times, how did the Father’s servants get things done? God’s servants went about their tasks in varied ways. Luke was a meticulous planner, while Peter was more spontaneous. Abraham’s servant, on the other hand, executed his task with both organization and reliance on divine guidance. Charged with finding a wife for Isaac, he had specific criteria: a woman who was generous, caring, and loyal. His approach was focused and specific, not left to vague hopes or solely seeking God’s “best,” but rather making precise requests; he depended on the Father for guidance and intervention.

Genesis 24:12, 14

12 He prayed, “O LORD, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success today.
14 This is my request. I will ask one of them [the women coming to draw water], ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ – let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”

How did that work out? Flawlessly! The servant was wise and knew how to get things done. He skillfully balanced making plans with listening for the Father’s guidance and praying. His prayer life was effective because he allowed the Father’s insights to shape his thoughts and plans. The Father had input into his thinking. He collaborated with him in small steps, guiding him with specific actions and ensuring their completion. Moreover, the Father moved in the hearts of all the necessary individuals, influencing them to fulfill His perfect plan.

Genesis 24:27 captures this beautifully: “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me.”

Each time the Father acted, the servant responded with gratitude and prayer, worshiping and praising Him for what He had done.

But there’s more. Rebecca proved to be an extraordinary woman, willing to go beyond what was requested. Instead of doing the minimum, she excelled, taking each request and elevating it to a higher level. She “supersized” them.

REFLECT & PRAY

Isaiah 65:24 states, “I will answer them before they even call to me.”

Father, thank You for Your constant work in our lives and for inviting us into Your plans. Even as we pray, You have already set the answers in motion.

INSIGHT

As servants of the Father, we should see our relationship with Him as a long journey that ends in our Father’s house, our eternal home. The Lord Jesus Christ has gone ahead to prepare a place for each child of the King (John 14:2).

Servants have one task: to serve their masters loyally at all times. But there’s something special about this anonymous servant. He was utterly devoted to Abraham and lived only to please him. His favorite name for Abraham was “my master” (Wiersbe). Being anonymous was just that. He didn’t even get an honorable mention.

Servants have one primary duty: to serve their masters with unwavering loyalty. However, this unnamed servant stands out. His complete devotion to Abraham was evident; his sole purpose was to please him. He fondly referred to Abraham as “my master,” and despite his anonymity, he didn’t seek recognition.

As a servant, he took directions directly from his master without questioning, suggesting alternatives, or altering them. He asked a few clarifying questions and then committed wholeheartedly to obeying. Abraham’s servant was “all in.”

He held a steadfast faith that the Father would ensure the completion of his task. While he carefully formulated his plan to get things done, he relied on the Father for empowerment. He intentionally set aside time for prayer, seeking guidance and direction. He repeatedly prayed and watched to see what the Father would do. In a remarkable biblical twist, even as he prayed, the answer was already on its way. Before he finished his prayer, the Father responded.

Isaiah 65:24 captures this beautifully: “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers.”

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© Dr. H 2024