Bulletin Articles
October 6th Message of the Week
The Altars on Our Path Home
As Christians, we are often referred to as sojourners or pilgrims in this world. This concept resonates deeply with the life of Abraham, the father of faith, who lived his entire life as a stranger in a land that was promised to his descendants but never fully his own. Abraham’s journey reminds us that, like him, we are not permanent residents of this world but travelers with our eyes fixed on a greater home—a heavenly one.
In Genesis 12, Abraham is called by God to leave his homeland and journey to a place that God would show him. He left behind everything familiar, trusting in the promise of God, though he did not know where that path would lead. His willingness to leave his country and kindred reflects the faith we are called to have as we follow God’s leading, trusting in His promises even when we do not know what the future holds.
Throughout his journey, Abraham built altars to God, marking significant moments in his walk of faith. These altars were acts of worship, declarations of God’s presence, and reminders of His promises. However, despite God’s promise to give his descendants the land of Canaan, Abraham never settled into ownership of the land during his lifetime. The only piece of land he ever officially owned was a burial plot for his wife Sarah (Genesis 23:17-20). This symbolizes the temporary nature of his time in the land, pointing toward something greater.
The altars Abraham left throughout his journey are a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. They represent moments of faith, dedication, and connection with God. For us today, our “altars” may take the form of acts of worship, service, or prayer that mark our journey through life. These spiritual landmarks remind us that our relationship with God is central, even though we do not possess the things of this world permanently.
Like Abraham, we are called to be sojourners in a world that is not our final home. Hebrews 11:9-10 tells us that Abraham lived in tents, “for he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” As Christians, we too are looking forward to that city—eternal life in the presence of God. This journey requires faith, just as it did for Abraham, as we navigate a world that often feels foreign to the values of God’s Kingdom.
The only land Abraham ever owned was the burial ground for his wife Sarah. In Genesis 23, he purchased this land to lay his wife to rest, a small piece of property in a land that was promised to his descendants. This reminds us that while we may not see the full fulfillment of God’s promises in this life, we are part of a larger story. God’s faithfulness endures beyond our time here, and the promises He makes will come to pass, even if they unfold after we are gone.
As sojourners, we are reminded that our time here is temporary. Like Abraham, we build altars along the way, marking our journey of faith, but we do not seek permanence in this world. Our true home is with God, and just as Abraham looked forward to a city built by God, we too look forward to the eternal Kingdom. Our journey through this life, marked by faith, service, and worship, is a testimony to the promise that our true home awaits us in God’s presence.
