This week’s reading from the Torah includes the origins of the Abrahamic covenant, and the first notion of “promised land” in the Bible: The Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you (emphasis added). I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12:1-2).
I find it interesting that the goal (that is, the land God will show Abram) is not specified at the outset. Our patriarch agrees to follow God without an explicit goal or endpoint being announced. The covenant begins with open-ended trust. Only subsequently is
WOW! The “promised land” can only be determined in partnership between humanity and the Divine. Humanity has a stake in setting the agenda, and choosing our best destiny. The same goes for each of us as well. Who’s to say where we are “supposed” to be headed? For our lives to be fulfilling, we too must be willing to undertake the journey toward blessing – and figure out how to tweak, edit, and even change course along the way. To me, the real “promised land” is the process itself by which we strive for meaning.
So take time to reflect: where are you going on your life’s path? What risks are you taking to make life meaningful? To make it pleasurable? The old expression rings true: life’s a journey – enjoy the ride!
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