Hebrews 11:1-12

Read: 

Hebrews 11:1-12 (NRSV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3By 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.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and 'he was not found, because God had taken him.' For it was attested before he was taken away that 'he had pleased God.' 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith. 8By 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. 9By 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. 10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By 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. 12Therefore 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.'

Think: 

By faith Abel offered to God - and was murdered.  By faith Enoch was taken.  By faith Noah saved his family- but all the rest were killed.  By faith Abraham obeyed when all seemed lost but out of this lost-ness came a great nation which also fell. 

By faith God has lead me to where I am today.  Somedays I feel like I am more like Abel than Noah or Abraham.  Actually I feel more like Eve than Abel, and more like Sarah than Abraham.  I wonder if its just because I am a woman or because in many cases I feel like I am the direct object of my life rather than the subject.  The faith of Eve, Noah's wife, Sarah was not one of action but rather one of reaction.  They were subject to their husbands' wills.  This is not some feminist rant about how women were subjectified, lessened or enslaved by the ancient cultures.  Rather this is an observation that the faith of the head of the household is primary and the faith of the spouse is secondary.  I wonder if this is why I find Mary, the God bearer, so enigmatic because her faith her obedience came before marriage, before she was subject to Joseph.  In an age when marriage comes later when many individuals are established in career, community and conscience before they become part of a couple I wonder if faith shouldn't be one of the corner stones of our identity.  I know for me it was, and always has been (whether it was the acceptance of faith or the denial of faith depending on the decade is a different story), but I know for many of my friends it is not.  A dear friend of mine told me after my last big break up- that I deserved someone who would walk my journey of faith with me, who would hold my hand and walk beside me come what may.  I had faith that this would be so, so I waited and prayed.  I thought that I was too old, that I was like Sarah and no one would want to take me with them on their journey.  But I had faith that God wasn't going to leave me in the wilderness crying.  But I guess what I should have had faith in, wasn't that God would abandon me but that my faith in God would sustain me.  By faith I was taken into the wilderness, by faith I would be delivered one way or another.  By faith, by faith, by faith- I met my husband, I continue this journey, I await what the Spirit will do in my life in the New Year. 

Pray:   

Dear God, in whom I place my faith.  You enjoy our faithful sacrifices but do not wish burn offerings or sin offerings.  You enjoy our faithful dedication but do not wish us to be blinded by faith but rational in our discernment in community.  You enjoy our faithful service but do not wish us to be slaves to those whom we serve, but to be servants in your name.  Look upon your faithful servant as I begin this new year, with hope and love and understanding that my plans are not your plans and that you will continue to guide my path through this life and into the next.  I ask that you protect those who appear to have no faith, that you will restore and strengthen them, through the body of your Son, the church and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  I will follow you come death, destruction, life or creation in the day ahead and the day to come.  Amen 

Contemplate: 

10 minutes of contemplative prayer.