What is my Isaac?

This morning a friend asked where things were at with our journey, and I was telling her that we were waiting.  Waiting for what?  Not sure.  Waiting for how long?  No idea.  Our conversation shifted, and it wasn't long before she brought up the story about Abraham and Isaac.  My first reaction was, "Oh no, you too?  Ok, I take back what I said before about being in a stage of just waiting.  God is obviously trying to prepare me for something."  This wasn't the only time Abrahad's obedience has been brought to my attention recently.

In addition to the conversation this morning, the story of Abraham and Isaac had come up multiple times in the past few days.  In reading Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship,  this story is referred to extensively in the first section of the book on obedience.

Later on he [Abraham] was called by God to offer his own son Isaac as a sacrifice.  Christ had come between the father of faith and the child of promise. .  . He takes God at his word and is ready to obey. . . And at that very moment all that he surrendered was given back to him.  He receives back his son.   God shows him a better sacrifice which will take the place of Isaac. . . .  Abraham receives Isaac back, but henceforth he will have his sone in quite a new way - through the Mediator and for the Mediator's sake. . . . Outwardly the picture is unchanged, but the old has passed away, and behold all things are new.  Everything has had to pass through Christ. (99)

A couple days later this story came up in the discussion between a friend and I over how far we were willing to follow God's call in our lives (somewhat related to Crazy Love).   And just last night, the next story in our evening Bible readings with the children was that of Abraham and Isaac.

What is my Isaac?  What am I going to be called to be willing to give up in obedience to God, even if it is in turn given back to me?   Is it a child?  My spouse?  Homeschooling?  My job?  Control?  Comfort?  Safety?  My time?  Will I trust that God will provide even when there seems to be no out?  What shape will Jehovah-jireh take in the way our lives are intertwined with Abigail's?

Just after coming to this realization of how often God had placed the story of Abraham's obedience before me, the children asked to listen to a Bible story over lunch.  In the book we're using, the next story is that of Abraham finding a wife for Isaac.  Several things stood out to me from that next story.

• Abraham had moved his family from place to place instead of having a permanent settlement in order to keep them apart.  Does my comfort hinder my holiness?
• Abraham's servant prayed for a specific sign in order to recognize Isaac's bride.
• Upon hearing the story, Rebekah's family responded with, "This comes from the Lord; it is his will; and it is not for us to oppose it."  Whatever my worries are surrounding the potential circumstances of Abigail's coming into our life, it is HIS will, and not for me to oppose or try to mold into something that feels easier.
• Instead of waiting the suggested ten days to return, the servant encouraged a speedy return, since God had given Rebekah. Rebekah agrees.   When God asks us to obey, we shouldn't wait.

LORD, help me to take these lessons to heart.  Help me to be willing to obey no matter the cost, trusting in your provision.   Jehovah Jireh.