Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lived nomadic lives. Moving from place to place, to find grazing for their animals, their lifestyle was radically different from their ancestral city of Ur. The only reason not to go back was that God had called the family out of urban comfort to wherever God was leading them. If the pull of Ur or Haran had been so great, they could have returned, but they were moving with God and the certainty of His presence was better than a settled physical home (Exodus 33:15).

By contrast Abraham's nephew Lot, and his family, chose to abandon Abraham's example of faith and settled in cities that were renowned for their wickedness (Genesis 13:12-13). When judgement finally came on those cities, and angels hurried them out to save them, Lot's wife still longed for what she left behind. As she stopped to look back, the cloud of sulphurous volcanic ash overtook her; and she died (Genesis 19:24-26). Jesus used that example as a warning not to go back (Luke 17:32). He also said, 'No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.' (Luke 9:62)

The patriarchs were spurred on through many years of an unsettled life, not through duty or apathy but because of God's call to Abraham. The call and the promise were their motivation (Genesis 12:1-3). They were looking ahead not behind. They were looking for the place where God lives for they were being summoned to His home. Jesus described that home in John 14:1-6. He is the way, which Abraham was looking for, to get there (John 8:56). God is not ashamed to be called the God of all who trust Jesus to lead them to His eternal city.

There is value in remembering the past, and especially what God has done for us (Deuteronomy 8:2), but we should not be bound to our ancestry or our old way of life (1 Peter 1:18). We are called to look forwards to Jesus and respond to His call and promise of eternal life with Him (Hebrews 12:2-3). While most people are looking around to see what may divert them from God’s call, and many look back to old ways they should leave behind, men and women of faith look ahead. They are expectant that God will fulfill His promises and are willing to be used by Him in whatever way He chooses. This adventure of faith is not just for the apostles and missionary heroes, but it should be the normal lifestyle for every believer. Let Him lead you forward today.