WHAT A RECORD OF FAITH!

A Roll Call of the Faithful

“It was faith that made…

• Abraham obey when God called him…
• the parents of Moses hide him…
• Moses leave Egypt…
• the walls of Jericho fall down.

Should I go on? There isn’t enough time for me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets… What a record all of these have won by their faith! [Hebrews 11: 8, 23, 27, 30, 32, 39]

Personal Roll Call

The last few weeks, we’ve reflected on the people of faith who have inspired and encouraged us. It was faith that made…

• Jerry live forty-four years in total darkness and yet wear a lapel pin that said “Let go and let God.”
• Henri Nouwen write about healing and God’s love despite a lifelong struggle with depression
• Jane face death from leukemia at eighteen with a smile and a squeeze of the hand for her visitors
• Marjie declare enthusiastically that she was going to “the best place” after a fall broke her neck
• Jodi leave 5th-grade teaching and go to the seminary

Should I go on?

I don’t have time to tell you about…

• missionaries who answered God’s call
• musicians who touched my life with song
• preachers God who spoke the right word
• a pediatrician who travels with Project Smile
• a cousin who fought liver failure to raise her kids

What a Record of Faith!

Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged about our faith. Statistics tell us mainline denominations are on a steady decline; the fastest growing religious affiliation is “None”; and church giving is at an all-time low. That’s when we need to turn away from statistics and look to the crowd of witnesses that surround every one of us. All we have to do is be alert and pay attention. Some of the faithful take center-stage; others stay behind the scenes; some are right beside us. Some are nearing the end of life; others are still children. Some are family members; others are people we’ll never meet. Some have already died; others are still with us.

Your Turn

If you haven’t already done so, make a list of the people of faith who surround you. If you have a list, add a name or two today. Share one here.