a life of faith

Hebrews 11

35 But others were tortured,

        refusing to turn from God in order to be set free.

       They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.


36 Some were jeered at,

        and their backs were cut open with whips.

Others were chained in prisons.


37 Some died by stoning,

        some were sawed in half,

        and others were killed with the sword.

Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats,

     destitute

     and oppressed

     and mistreated.

38 They were too good for this world,

        wandering over deserts and mountains,

        hiding in caves and holes in the ground.



In first 34 verses of this chapter of Hebrews, the author lists people who were renowned for things they did as persons of great faith - and who had somewhat glittering lives as a result

But those listed in verses 35 - 38 seem to me to be more of what occurred in most of the lives of people over the years.

Iow, those mentioned in verses 1 - 34 who had glittering lives of faith were the exceptions in life, & those who are mentioned in verses 35 - 38 were the rule.

So?

We tend to think that a life of faith is an easy one. It is not.

A dear friend of mine, Beth White, is given to saying, "Salvation is free. Everything else costs you everything."

A life of walking in faith does cost us everything. We have to let go of our lives & follow Him, wherever that may lead.

Why then should we?

Because we will be in sync with, & walking with, the God of the universes, in sync with His plans & dreams for us & the whole of humankind.