Faith In Something Bigger
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
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This morning we find that our reading focuses on the idea of faith. And when I was thinking about what it means to have faith a common experience popped into my mind. There is something about infants that has always amused me. If you're a parent or someone who has ever played with a baby before you'll be able to relate to what I'm about to say. I'm talking about playing the classic game of "Peek-a-Boo." I've always found it amusing how infants react when you hide behind your hands only to reveal yourself a couple of seconds later. There's almost always a look of surprise, excitement, and curiosity as to where you went in that short amount of time.
As you know, infants cannot understand the concept of object permanence. They do not possess the ability to comprehend that something still exists even though it may move outside of their zone of perception. While we may maintain a mastery of object permanence, we still grapple with accepting the things we cannot see. But once we take that first step forward in embracing the unknown, we begin our journey of faith in something much bigger than ourselves. This journey will challenge us to open our hearts and minds to what God has imprinted on our hearts. As we hear in our reading for today, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible."
While infants find that human physiology limits their perception, we find that our failure to grasp the unknown often stems from our inability to let things go. We're good at pointing out the faults in others and focusing on the negatives, but in doing so, we limit ourselves when it comes to how much we are going to trust God. How can we have faith in something bigger than ourselves if we are so caught up in what the mistakes of other people? And how can we have faith that God will take our burdens if we try and micromanage our own salvation? Our belief in something that we cannot see is already challenging, so why would we want to make it harder for ourselves by trying to subvert the work of the Spirit of God?
The struggles that we all go through can be seen in stories such as that of Abraham. We recognize that Abraham's story is lifted up in today's reading as a part of what it means to live a complicated life and find the faith in something that went beyond himself (not to forget Sarah as well). Abraham didn't know where God was leading him. And I'm sure that he had problems at home that were more pressing calling for his attention, but Abraham nevertheless followed the called out of faith. And the same is true for Sarah, who believed that she was beyond the age to bear children, yet mothered a future people called by God. The question is whether or not we are willing to take such a risk to pursue something that we cannot see?
Let's be real for a moment and acknowledge that we each carry a lot of baggage. Some of our baggage can be good because it's useful and beneficial, but I think you know what kind of baggage I'm referring to in this instance. I'm talking about the things we can't let go of the grudges, the hurts, the fears, and the anger we've harbored over the years of existing. And instead of letting it go and having faith that God is in control we try to do things ourselves which can end up discounting / hurting others and lead us away from the place that God has prepared for us. As pioneers, as wanderers, we have a responsibility to pursue faith with wonderment and awe, in a manner that lifts those around us up instead of dragging them down.
I wish there were an easy solution, and I wish it were as simple as snapping your fingers. This world needs people who have faith. Faith not just in themselves but also confidence in those around us, and faith, not only in God will take care of every single detail, but that God will give us the courage, strength, and power to do what needs to be done as well. If we go forward in humility and faith, then God will not be ashamed to be called our God. If we can go ahead and love one another, trust one another, and take up the mantle of the women and men who have come before us, then we will find we are one step closer to the place God desires for us. But all of that requires faith, sweat, tears, joy, and all of the above. It’s hard work for sure, but work that satisfies our hungry and yearning souls.
So how are we going to live lives that reflect our faith in something bigger than ourselves? How are we going to honor the footsteps who have come before? The martyrs, the sinners, and the saints who were all a part of God's plan for creation. Faith requires us to trust that there is something much more meaning that exists outside of ourselves. My challenge for all of us here this morning is to think about concrete steps we can take that enable us to make a new way forward. A way forward that embrace faith in the unseen, a way that trusts that God will take care of things we can’t do by ourselves, and a way that
Since today is not a traditional worship service, I thought I would end in a non-traditional way. In the last couple of years of his life, before he died, Pete Seeger wrote a song that I think is appropriate to today's message. The song I want to end with today is titled, "God's Counting On Me, Counting On You." I think it's a song that encapsulates the themes I want us to walk away with after hearing this reading from Hebrews:
Faith can and most likely will be a rocky journey.
Faith is rewarding once we place our trust in God and place our “baggage” into God’s hands.
Faith encompasses all of creation and is not something that is done alone.
God’s Counting On Me, God’s Counting On You
Pete Seeger ©2012 (Bill Barone Productions)
When we look and we see things are not what they should be
God’s counting on me, God’s counting on you...
Refrain:
Hopin’ we’ll all pull thru (3x), me and you
When there’s big problems to be solved, let’s get everyone involved
God’s counting on me, God’s counting on you...
Refrain
What we do now, you and me, will affect eternity
God’s counting on me, God’s counting on you…
Refrain
When we work with younger folks we can never give up hope
God’s counting on me, God’s counting on you…
Refrain