The Hebrews Queue

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they'd been thinking of the country they'd left, they'd have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
Hebrews 11: 13-16

     The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as The Faith Chapter since the word "faith" is used 28 times. God's definition of faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (verse one) It goes on with an all-saints line up, a who's who of Bible days. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses are a few named.

     Abel loved God and showed it by offering his very best to him. Enoch was so close in his walk with God that he did not taste death, he just disappeared one day. Noah risked ridicule by building a boat where there was no water and he kept his faith is a very godless society. Abraham struggled to assemble a crib on his 100th birthday.

     Maybe these people all seemed nuts to their neighbors. Picture one skeptic buzzing to a buddy at the corner bar: "Now why do you suppose Abraham would pull up his tent pegs without a game plan? He doesn't even know where he's going, doesn't even have a map! What a loser!"

     And what's up with this guy, Moses? He'd rather mush in mud with the tattered Hebrews than wallow in the riches of Egypt?

     Strange people, these Christians. In modern day, we might appear looney to some as we nibble a wee wafer and sip from a tiny cup, or dribble water on the sleeping head of an infant, or bow our heads to pray in a restaurant.

     But, you see, we are aliens here, eagerly waiting to set up housekeeping in the New Jerusalem, watching the skies for the trumpet call heralding the second advent of Christ. We believe in things we cannot see and are so certain about it that we surrender all.

    Where is my name in the Hebrews Queue? "By faith, Rachel..." How am I filling in the blanks today?