Pray-ers

by Kathy Ross

Teaching means learning. Ask any teacher. And sometimes learning means going back to something familiar and understanding it more deeply. That's what I experienced a few weeks ago while preparing to discuss "reasons to believe" with a group of women.

As I read and reread Hebrews 11:1, my eyes and my thoughts focused afresh on the connection between "faith" and "substance" and "evidence" (KJV), on "faith" and "certainty" (NIV). Amazingly, "we," as in you and I, receive first mention as faith exhibits in the verses that follow. Any of us who believe that God made the universe, the visible realm, from the invisible realm manifests faith. Is this blind faith or faith based on substance? I say substance (and I believe rationality can be called "substance"). To believe in The Creator, the Originator, makes sense, as much sense as believing that stories don't tell themselves.

Next comes a list of ancients lauded for God-pleasing faith. We see the names of many who received and believed the invisible, seemingly "impossible" promises of God. But we also see open-eyed faith, for God gave each of them a tangible basis for their confidence in Him.

The "faithful" patriarchs from Abel onward show us actions based on much more than wishful or "seems good thinking." Abel learned (probably from his parents) what "sacrifice to God" means. Cain thought, "Whatever," and made an offering on his own terms. Not a good idea. Abraham moved from Ur not on a whim or an impulse, but in response to God's direct communication, which included God's promise to "show" him where to go.

Abraham didn't see countless descendants, but he did see the miracle child, Isaac. He didn't take possession of the land, but he did gain water rights and a plot (much more than a grave plot) near the trees of Mamre. He didn't see all nations being blessed, but he did see his foreign neighbors seeking favor with him because of his God.

Faith, itself, is a substance made available to us by God. It is firmly rooted in reality, for its growth is nurtured by evidence-hopes fulfilled, prayers answered, and a continuously growing body of facts, objectively verifiable truth. Open eyes, not blinders, serve faith best.