Good morning…
This Labor Day, we face hurricane horror, we grieve devastating loss, and we pray for God’s endless love to bridge every gap living between us. My husband’s chaplain message from last Monday came at a good time, as we all ask ourselves, “What part can I play in God’s healing work in our hurting world?” Considering the needs in our hearts and our homes, within each friend and each stranger, we do well to ponder, “God, what role am I to play in Your kingdom work this day?”
******
Rev. Steve Allen’s Reflections On Hebrews 11:29-12:2 – 8/26/19
Last year I was standing in the Calhoun (GA) High School gym lobby with a little time to kill before the start of a wrestling match. I was looking at the Calhoun Sports Hall of Fame behind a glass showcase when I came across this picture.
Hunter Knight is the central figure being celebrated in this picture but if you look just to the left – there in the background you’ll see someone else. That’s me. I had been coaching the Lovett wrestler who lost in that year’s state finals match to Hunter Knight. I could hardly contain my excitement. I was overwhelmed by the realization that I had made The Calhoun High School Hall of Fame. I took a picture with my phone and sent it to my wife, my kids, my parents. Sadly, no one else seemed to share my excitement. They were less than enthused because I was clearly there by accident. There was nothing that I did to earn this, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was simply a role player in Hunter Knight’s Hall of Fame moment.
Hebrews 11 includes a list of people who are legendary for their accomplishments in the faith. Some have referred to this chapter as Faith’s Hall of Fame. Many of the names listed are characters known to us all – like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. And yet, this Hall of Fame also includes some lesser known figures such as Rahab, Gideon, Barak, and Jephthah.
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah… and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight (Hebrews 11:32-34).
These are not central characters in the story that many of us learned in Sunday school or church. And yet according to the writer of the book of Hebrews each played a significant role in advancing God’s Kingdom. They each had a hand in God’s redemptive work in the world. They’re not the most famous figures in the Bible and yet they each played their role. And for that they are included in the Bible’s Hall of Fame.
As teachers, administrators, parents, spouses, friends, we are, of course, the central figures in our own life stories, and yet we are role players in the lives of so many others. Perhaps Gideon, Barak, and the others can inspire us to embrace our role, even when that role is in the background of someone else’s life. We have a significant part to play advancing God’s kingdom work. Even if it means we’re in the background of someone else’s story.
I realize that Hunter Knight has no idea who I am and yet in a strange kind of way I played a role in his Hall of Fame moment. May we show up every day this year and play our part in God’s work in the world however large or small.
******
God told Moses, “I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.” Compassion doesn’t originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, “I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power.” All we’re saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill (Romans 9:14b-16, MSG).
Each a beloved child of God, what part will we play today, partnering with the LORD’s compassionate will on earth, just as it blooms freely in heaven?
…Sue…
