Consider Their Faith

Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

I was standing on a metal plank, at the top of a mountain, looking at the Costa Rican rainforest. Our guide grabbed the harness around my waist and snapped it to a wire traveling three hundred feet over a green valley. He yelled, "Listo!" which means "Ready" in Spanish. Sure, he was ready, but was I?

It was time for me to ride the zip line over the tropical forest, but what is my guarantee that the line would hold? I paused for a moment to imagine my body tumbling down the mountain. I've had a good life, I thought. And if I die on a mission trip to Costa Rica, that would sound nice at the funeral.

My only comfort rested in the group of sound-minded adults I witnessed traveling safely over the ravine. Twenty students and adults were coaxing me from the other side with smiles of true encouragement. So, I jumped off the plank and held on for dear life. I trusted the zip line because I observed others take a step of faith and they were celebrating on the other side.

Often, we experience fears and doubts in our Christian walk and we look for role models who have trusted Christ with their lives. We see someone take a step of faith by tithing and we are encouraged to do the same. We witness a Christian trust the Lord with a new job, so it is easier when we hear God's call to a new career. We read about the saints of the early church and we follow in their footsteps. After generations of people have made it to the other side, we know that we can trust the Guide and the way He has made for us.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the saints who have gone before me, who have blazed a trail of obedience and joy. Make me a trailblazer for those behind me. Let my life encourage others to trust you, to jump off the ledge and experience the wonderful ride of abundance in you. Amen.

Emily Osburne