And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)
What does it take to become a better player? This is not to be confused with the question, “What does it take to become a world-class player?” Those are two very different questions except for a rare group of men and women.
Undoubtedly, some “drank the Kool-Aid” when a well-meaning parent said, “You can become whatever you set your mind and heart to accomplish.” With a little critical thinking, it should be obvious that countless millions could never achieve what it takes to play on the PGA or LPGA Tours.
A forty-seven-year-old gentleman was overheard telling a mutual friend he was considering the Champions Tour. He played to a three handicap. And he played from tees that were 5500 yards long. Most men responded with a simple smile. Disabusing him of his fantasy seemed like a cruel thing to do.
Another fellow, who didn’t get the memo, blurted out, “If you couldn’t come close to beating Bernhard Langer in your forties, what makes you think you can beat him at fifty and beyond?”
Seeing impossible things in the mind’s eye is usually classified as fantasies. Seeing things that are possible are generally categorized as goals. Discerning the difference between these two – fantasies or goals – is crucially important unless you are Don Quixote.
After all, if you are 5’6, weigh 128 pounds, have a noticeable pot belly, hit it 200 yards off the tee, and can’t “putt a lick,” what makes you think you can go toe-to-toe with the big boys?
Neither one of these categories—fantasies or goals—are to be confused with biblical faith. To be sure, there is a surface resemblance between them (i.e., seeing the unseen), but biblical faith is in an entirely different category than either fantasies or goals.
Whether it is an unachievable fantasy or an achievable goal, both are human-generated expectations, no matter how realistic or unrealistic. Contrary to both, biblical faith sees the unseeable future as certain! How so? In short, it is grounded in God’s promise.
Biblical faith responds to a promise made by the all-powerful God. Biblical faith is not conjuring up what one wants to happen in the near or distant future; biblical faith sees a reality that is altogether certain for no other reason than God said it would happen.
As you ponder the men and women of faith found in Hebrews 11, notice how many times they took the LORD at his word about some event that would happen in the future.
Moses suffered in his present circumstances because he looked forward to the future reward. Abraham journeyed because he saw a future city whose builder and designer was God. Joseph spoke about a future exodus that was still 400-plus years away. Noah built an ark because he trusted the word of the LORD about a forthcoming deluge.
Infinitely beyond these examples is Jesus Christ. He suffered unimaginable shame and affliction for the “joy set before him.” What was that future joy set before him that provided the needed strength to suffer inexpressible horrors?
At the very least, two things deserve mentioning. First, he endured the agonies of the cross for the future joy of sitting at his Father’s right hand. By honoring the Father in untold earthly suffering, the Father would glorify him by exalting him to the highest place in the cosmos.
Second, by suffering as the atoning sacrifice for those whom God was calling to himself, Jesus would know the future joy of fellowship and friendship with redeemed brothers and sisters for all eternity.
Prayer: Father! Teach us to discern between biblical faith and human imagination, whether realistic or unrealistic.