A few weeks ago I gave a talk at the teen retreat at our church. I was shocked to discover that the only person named a "hero" in the Bible is Goliath. Everyone else we would call a "hero", God calls faithful. I was challenged by that - it is much more fun to be considered a hero than faithful. Plus, a hero seems to do it all themselves while someone who is faithful must have something or someone to be faithful to. The role call in Hebrews 11 is often called the "heroes of the faith". When you read their stories you realize that they had their foibles, problems, fears and insecurities. They aren't heroes of the type that we expect. God commends them not for their heroism, but for their faithfulness - even in the midst of their fear, sin and doubt.
Often heroes have a succesful "cause". However, the Bible clearly says that none of these faithful people received all that was promised to them. They lived onto a person - not in light of a cause. I was struck. Obviously these men did win battles, save the people, etc. However, that was not the full promise that God had for them. I rarely think about the full promise and often will only work on something that will have some success here and now. However, these men were faithful because they believed and followed the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. They trusted the tomorrow to Him - even if it meant they wouldn't directly be a part of it.
This challenges me to be willing to play my part, to be faithful in what He's called me to, regardless of what the outcome might look like (or when it might be played out). Speaking of these "heroes" it says "They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground". Not too heroic, but faithful. I pray that I may be faithful too - even if it seems like there are many detours in the path. The destination isn't the completion of a program, the fixing of a problem or a person. As pilgrims, it is about the faithful journey along the way and the relationship with Him as you go.
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