Most Christians are familiar with Hebrews chapter 11 and its account of the great faith of famous heroes of the Bible. The book is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" because it outlines the courage and conviction of Abrahan and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Jospeh and a host of  others.

For years I had interpreted this book as simply a historical account and encouragement of my own faith. But recently I received a deeper revelation from Hebrews 11. The text states that all of these heroes, though exhibiting great faith, failed to obtain the promise. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them" (Heb 11:13).  It further says that their lives obtained for them a good testimony but not the promise (Hebrews11:39) .

But the next two verses are the ones that recently illuninated my own faith:Hebrews 11:40 says "God having provided something better for us, that they (saints listed in Hebrews) should not be made perfect apart from us."  The verse says that they should not be made perfect - become complete or finish their mission - apart from Christians who have pursued a walk of faith from Pentecost until today.

Therefore, we are all part of a faith continuum, a centuries old relay in which the baton has been handed to generation after generation. Those saints of old began the race but they did not receive the promise of the finish line. Down through the ages they all haned off the baton time and time again before passing away. That brings us to our era, which by the Biblical signs could very well be the "end of the age" Jesus foretold. The time since Pentecost, sometimes called the Age of Grace, is our time.

So here we are, like the saints of old, compelled to live by faith, because for us there is no life outside of faith. Like the saints of old, we too love Lord, and relentlessly promote His message, and like them we face continuous persection because of it.  But unlike them, we will not end our mission without receiving the promise of victory, because we carry the final baton and we will cross the finish line.

I imagine that we are running a race, competing in a contest, while being observed by millions seated in a heavenly stadium. The spectators are the saints of old, the angels, and of course the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Maybe there are some opposing forces watching us, too. In any case, our team is cheering for us all the way. When we win an unbeliever to Christ, we've made a touchdown. When we praise God during trails, we've made a 3-point basket. When we love those who curse us, we've hit a home run.

Now the next verse, the one that made me smile and cry... Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 

WOW.  I am convinced that we are running the race for every saint in history-- for God's faithful followers from the Old Testament through the New. We will we finish the mission for the whole team. 

We are priviledged to have been chosen for the final leg of the race, because the final runner must be the strongest.  So we can run this race with joy no matter what we face, and as we carry the final baton, we have the  assurance of knowing that WE WIN!!! 

Pamela Wilson
Atlanta-based PR Specialist
and author of Finding Soul Brothers