Connected
Heb 11:39 And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, 40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
That’s pretty cool. We get to be on the same team as all those Bible-mentioned heroes. It’s our moves that are a direct completion of their perfection. Whenever we set our gaze upon a higher place and make the appropriate choice from a heart of worship, we confirming and affirming the choices they made thousands of years ago, sort of like blocking, setting a pick, or passing the ball.
We had this guy in high school that was a great athlete all four years, but specifically his senior year was honored as the athlete of the year for all of Colorado. Because of his incredible athleticism we were able to win the state championship that year in football and he also went on to win state wrestling and track titles. For him it must have been such an incredible thrill and honor to reach those pinnacles of achievement. When I think back, however, on all that seemed to make him the perfect athlete, both mentally and physically, I think of all those other team members that got to be in more than just the team picture. For every time he ran the ball there was a block made that determined how successful that run would be. Every scrub team member that provided a workout environment for him to sharpen his skills was essential the perfection he portrayed. Many days of outstanding toughness and perseverance were required by him to rise above all other athletes in the sate, but probably many years of devotion and dedication were actually a necessary contribution by those who would never have their name mentioned in any headline.
So our showing up on the practice field, running the drills, and completing the course before us is more than just our little insignificant personal encounter with the Creator of the Universe. It is a movement of faith that completes those movements made even thousands of years ago by those who never got to see just how incredible their perfection would be through us. The connection of God’s team or His body is one that transcends the constraints of eras and life spans to form the image of a completed purpose in Christ. So every holding fast to a confession, every act of service, and every sacrifice of praise is for much more than just the moment and a possible feeling of personal ascendance. There is someone, either past or present whose own walk of faith is dependent upon that step we will make.
While the bonding together in faith with those greats from long ago is so very empowering, encouraging, and inspiring, it is this same bonding that is meant to enable our own perfection and that of those other body members around us from day to day. If a prize is to be attained, if a goal is to be reached, there is a block that needs to be made, a practice dummy held and a drink provided. We are on a quest towards a mark of a higher calling that requires the contribution made by those other members who are equally dependant upon us. We are part of something much greater than our own personal journey, and much of the progress we will make personally is in need of another’s involvement.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.