Faith Through the Journey

Why Do We Share?

One of the most irritating qualities we humans have is the tendency to brag. When is it bragging and when is it merely sharing an experience? I guess the threshold is crossed when we try to make an experience seem as though we are responsible for it, rather than merely being blessed to enjoy it.

Recently we have been very “blessed” to be able to travel to other parts of the country to experience not only cooler weather (and in Texas, getting out of state in August is always a blessing!), but also to see some famous athletes up close and to visit one of the most beautiful locations in the country. I know that I am personally VERY blessed to enjoy these things because of my husband’s employment, not through any of my own efforts. I’m grateful that he wants me to be with him! Sharing these experiences by either writing about them or verbally retelling them will hopefully bring someone else pleasure as well.

Interestingly enough, the Bible tells us in Romans 12:15 that we should “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” When someone I care about experiences something they want to share with me, I am glad to read or listen to what they have to say. In that way, I share in their happiness and receive pleasure myself. In the same way, I hope that things I have to share bring enjoyment to a reader or listener. And for those of you who are willing to hear about my grandson or see the latest pictures or videos of him, I am profoundly grateful! One of the things I have heard at weddings is that when joys are shared, they are doubled, and when sorrows are shared, they are halved. Perhaps that explains why we are encouraged to share in both the joys and sorrows of one another. We can give and receive pleasure in the sharing, and demonstrate our caring for others.

Whose Hall of Fame?

Last weekend, my husband and I had the privilege of attending the Enshrinement Dinner for the National Football League Hall of Fame. For a die-hard football fan like me, it was pretty exciting. We were seated next to the red carpet where the former players and coaches who have already entered the Hall of Fame made their appearance, as well as those who were being honored that night. These were men who have achieved the ultimate recognition by those who know their chosen sport best. To be standing inches away from these men, taking pictures of them “up close & personal” was very heady stuff! I tried not to act to star-struck, but I don’t know if I made it! Some of them were much older than I remembered seeing them last, and some were unable to move very well, the toll the game that they loved so much had taken on their bodies. And yet, they were all excited to be there, greeting one another like members of the same elite fraternity that they are. They share a bond that only those 280 men can understand. It was an evening that I will long remember!

Now, a few days later, I began to think about another Hall of Fame–God’s.  Actually it’s more commonly known as the “Hall of Faith”. The Bible gives this less-known list of heroes in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. There are some of the more “famous” ones like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David and Samuel, and the more obscure ones like Enoch, Rahab, Barak and Jephthah. All of these are listed because they lived by faith, without which it is “impossible to please God”. Some of these conquered kingdoms, shut lions’ mouths, passed through rivers and seas on dry ground, and some received back their dead. Then there were others: the ones who didn’t receive what was promised, who were tortured, stoned or sawed in two, or who were put to death by the sword.  The writer of Hebrews says of these: “The world was not worthy of them”. They didn’t receive the world’s applause or acclaim, no trophy or gold jacket to indicate that they were exceptional. Yet in God’s eyes, they were worthy of acclaim, since we are still reading about them today! The key to their worth in light of eternity was their faith, not their worldly achievements. That is why we honor their memory, and are even urged to emulate that faith! Hebrews 11:39 & 40 says: “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” To receive recognition eternally requires but one thing: FAITH!