Introduction

As Christians, what does it mean, with regard to Hebrews 11, to live and work towards a goal that we won’t necessarily reach (in this life).  In a culture in which winning is all, and in which fame and conspicuous materials rewards are to be coveted; how might we explain a faith which is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (my italics)”?

This week's news

Over the last thirty or so years, competition has entered into just about every aspect of our lives—more latterly health and education.  We are obsessed with tables and ranking, with ‘winners’ attaining to our society’s ‘cult of celebrity’.  We don’t have to look or listen very hard to be reminded of this.

As the school year closed there was been some disturbing news for parents and pupils alike: that primary school children could find themselves ranked against their peers in a national table.

For those interested in both league tables and money, here’s the latest on the richest sportswomen in the world.

And when money becomes the leading factor for sporting stars….:

As a corrective to the above excesses, here’s an article that reminds us 1) just how small we are and 2) that there is much more to this life and universe than meets the eye—and none of it made by human hands!

Reflection

We live in a competitive society which worships celebrity, success and wealth.  (Only watch an episode of The Apprentice or Dragons’ Den!)  There are enormous material rewards and notoriety for those who are at the peak of their professions or are top sports or film stars.  During last year’s London Olympics, the news media were full of the medal tables—with gold being the standard of a country’s success.  Little or no attention was paid to athletes who simply gave it their best and—although medal-less—still enjoyed the games, still loved their athletic discipline and provided entertainment and excitement for spectators.  Soon, primary school children could be ranked against one another, in ten-percentile bands, in an effort to ‘raise standards’ in education.   It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that only ten-percent will be in the top band!  What will happen to children’s joy of discovery and learning when they know that their efforts will be ranked?  What is the message to less able children, who none-the-less enjoy learning?

The unspoken message in the above examples is that ‘winning is all.’  Most of us know the adage, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game that matters.”  But this isn’t the message put forward by business, sport or government.  Winning and having wealth and fame now—for all to see—are the things that actually matter.

However, when it comes to how we live our lives, our Judeo-Christian faith is very counter-cultural as regards the ‘winning is all’ attitude.  Take note of this verse from Hebrews: “All of these died in faith without having received the promises [my italics], but from a distance they saw and greeted them.” (11:13) The writer of Hebrews is telling us that our forebears in the faith—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Moses and more—died, not having reached the final goal of God’s kingdom in this life.  But they died in faith, in hope of what God promised them, and has in store for us: “the city … whose architect and builder is God.” (11:10)

The writer, G.K. Chesterton, is credited with saying:  “If a thing is worth doing, then it is worth doing badly.”  It might sound odd at first—especially given our society’s obsession with winning.  Think of the word ‘amateur’ or the adjective ‘amateurish’—both have derogatory connotations (amateurs aren’t ‘winners’) and yet they are both derived from the Latin amator, meaning ‘lover’.  An amateur is someone who does something for the love of it—not for money or fame.  Living the life of faith is much the same.  Abraham “obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance” (Heb. 11:8)—God did not entice him with wealth or fame.  Instead, if Abraham followed God’s call, he would be blessed and given innumerable descendants—the vast majority of whom Abraham would never see.  His love for God helped him make the step of faith: to embark on a journey with no clear goal or purpose except a life lived in faith and in hope of God’s promise.

Prayer

Lord of life, forgive us when we turn our lives into a competition and forget the simple joys of your creation.  Forgive us when we look on colleagues, schoolmate or friends as our competitors for the good things of this world.  Help us to see that, in your view, we are all blessed and loved equally—and that your love is unlimited and will never run out.  As Creator God who fashioned each of us in love, enable us to live our lives in that same love—savouring each step of our life’s journey: the highs and the lows, the good and the bad.  And keep us strong in the faith that sustained Abraham and Sarah, that we too might attain the goal of your heavenly country.  Amen.

Questions

• Have you ever been embarrassed because you really enjoyed doing something—painting, singing, playing a sport—but weren’t very good at it?
  
• Would it make a difference if you thought of it as something you simply loved doing?

Action

Try to notice the efforts made by others—at home, work or school—and offer encouragement and praise to someone (even if you think you could do a better job!).  Take notice of the effect your words have on that person.

Young People

Try to notice the efforts made by others—at home, work or school—and offer encouragement and praise to someone (even if you think you could do a better job!).  Take notice of the effect your words have on that person.

Jack Lawson is a freelance writer and independent Hebrew scholar.

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