“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11: 1 (KJV)
The route along I-80 between the Illinois/Iowa border and the Pacific Ocean is filled with references to the pioneer days of the United States. The very names of some of the towns declare their roots in the westward expansion: Council Bluffs, Gold Run, Emigrant Gap, Mustang, Salt Lake City. Others reflected the First Nation legacy of the area: Winnemucca, Washoe, Wahsatch.
For me, this trip took five days. For the pioneers, the trip could easily take six months.
Just as I had my vehicle packed with belongings and food, they carried their belongings and food with them in their covered wagons.
I had concrete and steel highways with large signposts to ease my way. They had only rough trails and great hardship in crossing the Great Plains and various mountain ranges along their route.
As I drove, I pondered the courage those early settlers must have had. They left behind all they knew and headed into the unknown, the unfamiliar. Traveling in faith that something better lay ahead, they moved out. Although they had not seen the land waiting for them, they were willing to strike out toward it.
If you think about it, heaven is in a similar situation. We haven’t seen it yet, but we move toward it in faith that it is as promised: the better place for us, the Promised Land.
Faith is the key. We have faith that Jesus can do what He said He can do: redeem us and give us eternal life.
What have you done lately through faith? In what ways have you seen your faith rewarded? Have you moved toward a goal you couldn’t see yet? Pray for your faith to increase on a daily basis.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
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