From Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 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.8 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. 9 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. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 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. 12 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." 13 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, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 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.
Faith is that which leads us forward. The person of faith looks forward to what can be in believing the power of God, not in remembering what was that he or she left behind. Faith is that which allowed us to say to sin, farewell, and Yes and Welcome to a new life lived in the fullness of Christ.
I chose the pictures of lunch pails from Old Town Dallas as a symbol of faith. It was usually moms and sometimes, dads, that packed a lunch with what God has provided for their children. Sometimes it wasn't much, but it was enough, and it was part of the investment of faith these parents were making in the future by allowing their children to be educated. We all have stories of some interesting lunches when there wasn't any lunch meat with which to make sandwiches. My dream lunch involved my mom's homemade tortillas, but ridicule and shame would accompany that lunch for other children who had brought bread thought the show of tortillas was a show of poverty. Years later, those tacos were as good as gold, which could be traded for almost any type of sandwich you wanted. My fear was to awaken to the smell of frying chicken for I knew that we had no bologna nor cheese with which to make my usual schooldays lunch. Imagine my chagrin to open my wax paper treasure to discover a chicken leg inside of two slices of white bread. I would give anything now to still have the loving woman who prepared those, thankful for the loving woman I have now. Faith is the substance of hope in the unseen God whom we know provides for our needs.
Faith in this chapter is like a city to which we are moving. We move forward with hope, convinced in the imagined of what will be. It was after all, faith that tells us that what is created now was created by God. The lineage of those forebears who did what they did in faith in the God who makes all things. And it was the faith of one person who made the faith of so many others possible.
Our faith serves to bless others. What we say, think,and more importantly, do for the Kingdom of God is what blesses those who may lack faith. It is faith that says we have a homeland towards which we are walking. We may not be near yet, but that does not stop our forward movement. As we journey we should extend a hand to those in need of moving forward. Faith serves best when we share.
PRAYER: Author of Faith, speak to my faith and make it stronger. Make me aware of that which is available to me. Let me live a life that inspires others to move towards a closer relationship with God. This I pray, in faith, in the name of Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
