Rescuing Ambition

by Dave Harvey

Hebrews 11 makes it clear that not every story of faith has a happy ending—at least not the earthly chapter of the story. Even though Lalani believed, her husband died at the hands of persecutors, her son grew up without a father, and her church was set on fire. But her faith was set to see the Savior, and she looked back at God’s faithfulness and found joy because she believed that God is real and that he’s a rewarder of those who seek him. There’s no way we’ll receive in this life all the reward for our faith. The truth is, our life on this side of heaven can’t hold all the reward. It’s stored up for us not because we need to be patient, but because it’s so magnificent we couldn’t handle it here. That’s why you’ll find folks like Lalani in the part of the Hall of Faith with this plaque over the door: These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb. 11:13–16)