What do you anticipate most?
Sometime last month our pastor preached about Hebrews 11. If you will read it, it's about faith and what others would describe as 'faith in action' of some people in the Old Testament. It's interesting that their life ended not receiving what they hoped for. In our world, it is perceived as a sad ending...but, is it?
"39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Last June, I went to one of the most beautiful tourist spots in the north, Sagada. We booked a package tour covering transportation, hotel and tour so we can relax with an itinerary and arranged places to go to. Going to Sagada could take you 12 hours (one-way) or more, depends on your mode of transportation. Needless to say it is that far that any first timer or old timer would think, this has to be really worth it. I hoped for awesome Sagada experience with different group from the first I visited. Unlike the Old Testament men in Hebrews 11, we experienced the best of Sagada as we anticipated. Our trip went well and we all went home bringing happy memories of our trip. We had a happy ending.
Are we to pity the men in Hebrews 11? No. Their faith was not wasted. Their hope was not pointless. God put that in their hearts and He fulfilled His promise of salvation in Christ and glory in heaven. They've had happy ending, far better than what we can imagine of what happy ending is.
Worldly happy ending is always on the result but God's ways is higher than our ways. For example, there's a guy who wanted to pursue his girl friend. He finally had the courage to tell the girl but he got rejected. The girl had nothing for him because as far as she knows him, they are no match. After the heart-breaking mourning, the guy got sober and realized that was it, they are really are not a match. It was indeed not a happy ending but the guy learned something. He can pray for maturity to assess his feelings and have more time to know God's plan for relationships. This is a happy ending actually and a happy start.
As a believer, I am encouraged with Hebrews 11 to look beyond earth. I am also ashamed that I get frustrated with little delays of what I expect to come. When I wish or hope for something, my attitude should be "Lord, I want this...but your will be done." Below are few lines from a hymn I'd like to share and hopefully would bless you as much as it did to me...
Sometime last month our pastor preached about Hebrews 11. If you will read it, it's about faith and what others would describe as 'faith in action' of some people in the Old Testament. It's interesting that their life ended not receiving what they hoped for. In our world, it is perceived as a sad ending...but, is it?
"39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Last June, I went to one of the most beautiful tourist spots in the north, Sagada. We booked a package tour covering transportation, hotel and tour so we can relax with an itinerary and arranged places to go to. Going to Sagada could take you 12 hours (one-way) or more, depends on your mode of transportation. Needless to say it is that far that any first timer or old timer would think, this has to be really worth it. I hoped for awesome Sagada experience with different group from the first I visited. Unlike the Old Testament men in Hebrews 11, we experienced the best of Sagada as we anticipated. Our trip went well and we all went home bringing happy memories of our trip. We had a happy ending.
Are we to pity the men in Hebrews 11? No. Their faith was not wasted. Their hope was not pointless. God put that in their hearts and He fulfilled His promise of salvation in Christ and glory in heaven. They've had happy ending, far better than what we can imagine of what happy ending is.
Worldly happy ending is always on the result but God's ways is higher than our ways. For example, there's a guy who wanted to pursue his girl friend. He finally had the courage to tell the girl but he got rejected. The girl had nothing for him because as far as she knows him, they are no match. After the heart-breaking mourning, the guy got sober and realized that was it, they are really are not a match. It was indeed not a happy ending but the guy learned something. He can pray for maturity to assess his feelings and have more time to know God's plan for relationships. This is a happy ending actually and a happy start.
As a believer, I am encouraged with Hebrews 11 to look beyond earth. I am also ashamed that I get frustrated with little delays of what I expect to come. When I wish or hope for something, my attitude should be "Lord, I want this...but your will be done." Below are few lines from a hymn I'd like to share and hopefully would bless you as much as it did to me...
| My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. | |
| On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. |
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