In the early 2000’s, Phil Vischer was the president of what was then one of the largest if not the largest digital animation studio outside of Hollywood and Disney. That company was BIG IDEA, the maker of the Veggie Tales videos. In the late 1990’s they were selling millions of videos every year. But in the early 2000’s things started to get ugly. The company was in major financial trouble. BIG IDEA eventually found itself in bankruptcy court. Phil Vischer, the owner, founder and producer made a fascinating statement in the midst of it all. He talked about how God had blessed him and made BIG IDEA successful, but then he was watching BIG IDEA crumble. In Vischer’s eyes it was really a question of what was more important: the dream and success of his company BIG IDEA or his relationship with God.
In the book of Genesis from the Bible we read the history of the life Abraham. One of the most famous moments comes late in his life. For decades, Abraham had been waiting for God to satisfy the promise that he would one day father a child through his wife Sarah. When that promise finally is fulfilled the strangest thing happens. God speaks to Abraham and makes a request. We are told that God did this to test Abraham. God’s request was that Abraham travel a three day’s journey to Mount Moriah, then once he arrived there he was to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar. I have no idea how many times I have read the story, or how many times I have heard it told. But every time, the magnitude of the request seems to grow. Perhaps it is because I am now a father. Or perhaps it is because I am older and see the value of family. In any case I look at how Abraham responds with a sense of awe.
Abraham responds to God’s request with full obedience. But I have questions. Before Abraham left, did he talk to his wife? Did Abraham tell Sarah that God told him to sacrifice (to kill) his son on an altar? If he did, how did she respond? Then I also wonder about the journey. It was a three day journey. Where was Abraham’s head during that journey? Did he doubt his decision? Did he rehearse how to go about the whole thing? Did he hope for an alternative? I also wonder about Isaac. What did Isaac think of all of this? Was he aware that he was about to die?
I ask the questions, but the Bible doesn’t really tell us the answers. All we get is an interesting statement in the book of Hebrews which suggests that Abraham was going to go through with it, believing that when Isaac was dead, that God would raise him up again. For me that is a powerful statement of faith.
Abraham and Isaac and two young men in Abraham’s service make the journey. Eventually, Abraham and Isaac separate from the others to make their way up the mountain. Somehow Abraham gets Isaac tied up and is ready to take Isaac’s life using a knife when God finally intervenes. Abraham looks up and finds a ram caught nearby in some bushes. He takes the ram and sacrifices it instead of his son. God had seen enough, and He was pleased.
Now, what does all of this have to do with you and I? It is time to reflect. How have we been tested in our life? I am positive that God is not asking you to take the life of one of your children. But if we take this seriously, we can reflect on the fact that our lives are filled with decisions, and each decision is in some way a test. The decisions we make reflect our priorities. This job or that job? Which one will bring us closer to God? Spend my money here or on this project there? Which one best reflects God as priority in my life.
Over the next few weeks, take a really close look at the decisions you make. Are the decisions you are making bringing you closer to God? Are the decisions you are making reflecting God as priority in your life? It would be my prayer that each of us would develop more of a habit of thinking about how even some of the simplest decisions we make in life have an impact on our relationship with God.