Where Did I Come From … And where am I going?

Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. Genesis 4: 20

Not too long ago, I got caught up in searching my roots, actually discovering a long list of illustrious and historical ancestors, dukes, earls, nights, kings, saints, if we can believe the research. I had put together a booklet for the family of our history, including pictures and a lineage back to the early seventeen hundreds. More recently, I researched my late husband’s genealogy. He joked that I’d probably find out he’d descended from Emperor Titus. I couldn’t dig so far back, but we did find some renowned progenitors.

Looking back at our roots can not only be a fun project, but examining our roots can also be a great means of understanding not only our own history but may also connect us to world history. Yet, my interest in where I’ve come from does not answer the question as to where I am going.

To answer the question as to where I’m headed, I need to look at a different kind of family tree, a tree where our Brother—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—died to open the pages of the Book of Life to write us into the Family of God. Does that sound too farfetched?

I was reminded of this shortly before my grandson passed away. He called me one day and asked me why he felt a lot closer to a friend of ours than he did to some family members. He indicated that he felt he could talk to the man like a father figure. This young man was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, but he struggled with multiple issues and needed a strong Christian mentor. He’d found family in this godly man. I explained that since we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross we are family. He made the remark, “It’s like the blood of Christ runs through our veins.” Spiritually, this may be so. We are indeed a family in Christ, and our spiritual “genealogy” gives us a legacy we will never receive from those illustrious antecedents in our family tree. Jesus said:

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

John 14: 2-3

We have a prepared place for a prepared people. Now that is a real heritage, one that will not deteriorate.

There is nothing wrong in trying to discover our roots. In fact the research can give us a perspective of who we are, what we are doing here, and what our future on planet earth can be. In fact, genealogy can be a fun project even for the youngster, to teach him history, to give her the courage to aspire to a greater life, and to bring them a sense of pride in who they can become. Or if they find a rogue in their lineage, they can aspire to rise above a shady past.

Our spiritual family connection, however, is the greater gift. We have Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Peter, John, and Paul; We have Sarah, Rahab, Deborah, Mary, Dorcas, Priscilla; We have Augustin, Luther, Edwards, Wesley, Whitfield, Moody, Graham. We have men and women today, like my grandson’s mentor, like our own pastors. They are our family—our real family tree that will last throughout eternity.

Maybe you are reading this, and you do not have this family connection, but …

~ ~ ~

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10: 9-10