As a man following God, Abram was to rise up higher, Abram was to grow. But why actually? Perhaps religion consists only in participating in the liturgy, in the libation to the deity in the form of some unpleasant duty, so that when it is fulfilled, one can continue his private life, do what pleases him and his god no longer causes him complications, wants nothing more from him, does not stand in his way?

No, Abram's religion was different, his God was different. What Abram experienced with him he did not experience with any of his previous idols. His God spoke, he gave him revelations. And as Abram walked with him, he really captured his heart. It was not just a matter of fulfilling unpleasant duties, Abram could not describe it in a different way than feeling an increasingly deep respect for God, a devotion that was not forced but completely sincere.

Abram was to grow — first, not only because he wanted to be better himself, but because he was, in a way, an envoy of this God on earth.

Abram was to grow — but not because he suffered from narcissistic tendencies and was feeling well if he continually improved himself, but because if he remained as he used to be he would not be able to receive the promises God had given him.

There are things that are available from God to every person. The gospel of salvation is intended for people of all epochs and races, small, large, old, young... One can accept it as it is, he does not have to improve first or to change.

But this does not mean that all the gifts of God are equally available to everyone! There are things that God will not entrust to us until our characters change. Like a father does not pass on the family business to the son, if he knows he will squander in within a year. That doesn't mean he doesn't love him; but he must wait for the son to grow mature for the task that lies before him.

Even we ourselves may have received promises that have not yet been fulfilled, because we would not be able to carry it yet. We may be surprised why we go through difficult stages that crush or trials of all kinds. But if we remain faithful in the midst of them, we will once realize that, as with Abram, there was an invisible power at work that weaved the fabric of our lives so that we could grow stronger and grow in faith so that more and more eternal riches of God could rest on our shoulders.