³² How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. ³³ By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received their loved ones back again from death.

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.

³⁹ All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. ⁴⁰ For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Hebrews 11:32-40

Dear God, this is quite a passage. If he’s making a sales pitch for following you, it’s not the soft-sell. He’s basically saying that anything is worth you. Any price paid. Any amount of suffering. And not only now, which is so short and temporary, but in the life to come. Anything is worth you and what you have for me.

But it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And, although not wealthy by American standards, I am wealthy by the other standards in the world. I have steady income that covers my bills. I have clean water and plenty of food. I am able to own two vehicles for my wife and me. I have things to protect. I have comfort to protect. I have reputation to protect. Can I trust you to protect those things for me to make my time here on earth easier? No, I can’t. Am I ready to trust you anyway and say that that is okay? I think I am.

Father, I don’t know what you might be calling me to this very day. You might ask me to risk my own income, my personal safety, or my possessions. You might ask me to give until it hurts. You might ask me to take a stand that will anger others and put my life and/or lifestyle at risk. Help me to recognize those moments as they come up today and tomorrow. Help me to see what you want me to do and be willing to do exactly what you want me to do. Help me to truly consider my life worth nothing to me, but to simply desire to finish the race and complete the task you gave me–the task of testifying to your grace (Acts 20:24).

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen