Settling down?

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.

But when they came to Harran, they settled there.

Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

Genesis 11:31‭-‬32.

The story of Terah is one that came up in a conversation with a friend this night. It is one that challenges me. The fact that Terah set out from Ur to go to Canaan but then settled in Haran is a bit disturbing. It gets worse knowing that he died in Haran, never setting foot in his intended destination.

I wonder how Terah would have lived, waking up each day, wondering how life would have been if he was in Canaan. I imagine him packing his bag to leave Haran one night, but then feeling that the risk of leaving was too much for him and deciding to stay in his comfort zone.

I see him sitting with his folks at night on the plains of Haran with Canaan in the distance, telling them stories of how their life would have been so much different if he made the move. It was all words however as he never found the energy to overcome the force of inertia.

I see as Abraham, Lot and Sarai bury him in Haran. Maybe his tombstone read, “Born in Ur, Set out for Cannan, Settled in Haran”.

I wonder how many people are stuck in Haran. Haran was meant to be a bus-stop on the way to Canaan, but it has become the final destination. They lodged for a night at Haran Hotel, and rather than check out the next day or after a few days, they started searching for accomodation in the city.

I wonder how many people tell tales of how life would be if they could get to Canaan. How much better their families would be if they took the step of faith to Canaan.

I wonder how many people would end up dying in Haran, never reaching Canaan. I wonder. I wonder how many people plateau in Potiphar’s house and never reach the palace. I wonder how many people eat the king’s food and never become leaders in the land. I wonder…

Terah’s story was summarised in verse 32. He lived and then he died. But then, did he live to the max? Could his story have been like David, of whom it was said in Acts 13:36 that after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, he fell asleep and was buried among his fathers?

Terah’s story has a lesson for pilgrims on a journey. For those leaving Ur, his story is an encouragement to be focused on the prize. Not to allow distractions. Not to allow temporary things to distract from the ultimate goal.

For those who are at Haran, his story is a challenge to get up and leave. Not to get complacent. Not to lose sight of the big picture. Not to be comfortable with good when great is out there.

Are you settling down in Haran when Canaan is calling your name? Are you settling for less than God has called you to be? Are you living like Terah? Are you living in Haran? God’s reminding you of the initial destination He told you about. Canaan is not a mirage. It is not a myth. It is real. Don’t settle.

Have a great night and a wonderful week ahead!