A Workaday Faith

We all want to do great things for Jesus. That’s normal and healthy. But we’re not all going to get to.

Pastors probably want to be the next Spurgeon or Billy Graham. Writers dream of being the next CS Lewis. The more politically minded hope to be our generation’s Wilberforce. Most of us won’t be.

How do we deal with the fact that most of us will live our lives and then go to our reward without anything impressive to be rewarded for?

The “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 reminds us of the great heroes of yore. Abraham was called to leave his people and go off to parts unknown. Joseph ran Egypt, saving his family and much of the known world from starvation. Moses led God’s people out of captivity and through decades of wandering, delivering them at last to the Promised Land. We’re reminded of judges and kings, prophets and warriors who did great things in the name of the Lord.

Then there’s Isaac. Isaac is known for ... not much, really. Isaac’s dad nearly killed him, then he got him a wife. Next thing we know, Isaac’s old and blind. OK, I may have skipped a few paragraphs there, but really, Isaac’s story is not impressive. He lived his life. He kept his flocks. He raised his kids — and not particularly well. But he makes the list: “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future” (v20). Whatever else we might want to say about Isaac, he had faith. And faith pleases God.

The gospel account of the Gentile centurion is a favorite of mine. He asks Jesus to heal his servant who is suffering terribly. Jesus offers to come, and this Gentile objects, “No, I’m not worthy to have you come into my house. Just say the word, and he’ll be healed.” And Jesus is absolutely tickled.

Jesus was delighted whenever he encountered a vibrant faith.

The Hall of Faith lists heroes who “quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies” (v34). But that’s not the only people mentioned. “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated” (v36-37).

It may be the Lord’s will that I become powerful in battle and route foreign armies. Awesome! It may be his plan that I face jeers and flogging. Less awesome! But the church honors its martyrs for good reason.

However, am I OK with being nothing, no one of note? I should be. We don’t know the centurion’s name, but he put a smile on Jesus’ face. Isn’t that enough for me? Can we be content with that?

I hope you want to win souls for Christ and build up the saints. I hope you get to do awesome kingdom work and that generations remember your name. But whether you win one soul or a million, what pleases God is faith.

And if you don’t get to do everything you hoped, remember Isaac, the patron saint of raising your kids, paying your bills, and trusting God.


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