Heros. Most everyone has one. Little kids run around in their favorite costume, cape flapping in the wind, hoping to emulate some super hero power. Powers like kicking bad guys in the face and defeating evil with plastic num chucks.
Ever since I was a little girl, I've heard and read Bible stories. These characters have challenged and inspired me through their examples in more ways than one. Yesterday I was able to visit the tombs of some of these. To be specific, Daniel, (you know, Daniel and the Lions Den?) as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (remember those three men that were thrown in the fiery furnace? Yes, those guys.) Needless to say, it was a rather surreal experience.
As I stepped outside and trod the ground where these men may have very well, walked, prayed and lived their lives, it hit me. Yes, I am thankful for these men and women of faith but not just those that have gone before, but those that are in my life even now. Those brothers of mine who stood near the tomb of Daniel, lifted their hands and called on the name of Jesus in that place. Even those around the world that I know and have yet to know who walk out reckless, abandoned, faith-infused lives. Those dear brothers and sisters of mine who follow and love Jesus wholeheartedly- I'm thankful for you. Let's keep after the author and finisher of our faith...
Crazy as it seems, we're all in this together, and we've got an audience that have gone before and are cheering us on!
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised ; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames..."
(Hebrews 11:32-34a)
Ever since I was a little girl, I've heard and read Bible stories. These characters have challenged and inspired me through their examples in more ways than one. Yesterday I was able to visit the tombs of some of these. To be specific, Daniel, (you know, Daniel and the Lions Den?) as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (remember those three men that were thrown in the fiery furnace? Yes, those guys.) Needless to say, it was a rather surreal experience.
As I stepped outside and trod the ground where these men may have very well, walked, prayed and lived their lives, it hit me. Yes, I am thankful for these men and women of faith but not just those that have gone before, but those that are in my life even now. Those brothers of mine who stood near the tomb of Daniel, lifted their hands and called on the name of Jesus in that place. Even those around the world that I know and have yet to know who walk out reckless, abandoned, faith-infused lives. Those dear brothers and sisters of mine who follow and love Jesus wholeheartedly- I'm thankful for you. Let's keep after the author and finisher of our faith...
Crazy as it seems, we're all in this together, and we've got an audience that have gone before and are cheering us on!
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised ; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames..."
(Hebrews 11:32-34a)