Recently, I’ve been reading/studying the book of Hebrews. If you’re familiar with the Bible at all, you’ve likely heard Hebrews 11 referred to the “faith” chapter. In fact the chapter starts with a definition of faith – “the reality of things hoped for but not yet seen”. The author then goes on to share the stories of those most of us consider Biblical heroes. Did these men and women do some amazing things for God? Yes. Did they have a tremendous amount of faith? Also yes. Were they perfect? Far from it. As we read in Romans “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. And these heroes ALL sinned!

The heroes mentioned in this chapter  include a murderer, adulterer, prostitute, drunk, liar and a whole group of doubters and forgetters. Not to mention those who tried to “help” God provide and sinned in the process. So why is it that we tend to gloss over the sins of these men and women while at the same time refuse to give ourselves the same grace we extend to them. Perhaps it’s because we know the end of their stories and how God used them in spite of their sin. And really that is kind of my point – we don’t know the rest of our stories yet because we are still here and God is still working on us! While we may have seen glimpses of God using us, we have no idea what His future holds or even the seeds we may have planted.

That is where the faith the author of Hebrews talks about comes into play. “By faith” is used over and over in this book as the author conveys the various ways their faith was expressed. From the creation of the world, to dead wombs opened, closing the mouths of lions, conquering kings and kingdoms that were way out their reach, to seas parted and ultimately the lineage of Jesus. Men and women, taking God at His word, believing and doing stuff that made zero sense to them and likely those who witnessed their journeys. The thing is -every single one of them sinned along the way. But they continued to believe that God would be faithful! 

It makes me wonder, what is your “by faith” story? I bet you’ve got one. If you’re anything like me, you undersale your faith story saying something like “anyone would do the same” or “it’s not that big of a deal” or “I’m just trying to figure life out and do what God is asking of me.”. Perhaps you doubt you heard God correctly or somehow missed a step because what you thought was going to happen, hasn’t. Or God didn’t provide the way you thought He would, but somehow it all worked out. I get it! I’ve been there. I could share of quitting a job when it made no sense and how God provided or how surgeries were paid for when we didn’t have insurance or how God placed us in ministries we never would have chosen or how He brought just the right people into our lives at just the right time. But you know what? I still doubt! I still sin. I continue to question God, His way and provision! I need the daily reminder that God isn’t finished with me yet and that His ways are not like mine!

Hebrews also tells us that these men and women did not receive what they were promised. Wait a minute, what?! Think about it, every single one of these mentioned were born under the law and never knew Jesus or experienced His free grace (costly, but free). Yet, scripture tells us that through their faith they were proved righteous. Do you get what that means? God is still working! And if you are reading this, that means you are still on this earth for a reason and purpose. Don’t give up on God because He hasn’t and won’t give up on you! Have you been stuck in sin? So what! Confess, repent and then receive the forgiveness and grace Jesus purchased for you! I’m not condoning sin, I’m saying – ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! Don’t get stuck there.

Why not take some time today and think about and pray about the faith stories in your life. Don’t discount your stories, no matter how small. Your story may just be what someone else needs to hear and be encouraged by! And I’d love to hear them! I’m convinced that one of the ways God uses each of us is by giving us similar experiences for the very purpose of sharing and encouraging others!