Ten days ago was Halloween.
Around Bend, it was a cold and damp evening so the numbers of kids coming by our place were slim and mostly young teens braving the elements. I also noticed fewer houses lit up in welcome to Trick or Treaters. Still fun to greet youngsters at the door.
The next morning, Sunday, 11/1, was All Saints Day.
This is a celebration our church doesn’t do much with, but for many more liturgical churches, it’s a big deal. It’s a day to stop and remember the faithful who have gone before us and now are in glory with God awaiting Jesus’ return to establish his kingdom here. They are both the sung and unsung heroes of faith who, through their lives, impacted others for good and for God.
On that morning, like most, I invested time with an app called Lectio 365. This is a UK-based prayer guide and it helps focus my heart and sharpen my thinking at the top of the day. On 11/1, they paused for All Saints Day with a fine reflection and challenge. You might think of heroes like Mother Teresa or Billy Graham, but as Pete Grieg writes,
“the majority of the world’s spiritual giants are anonymous—not least because they are humble. Their lives and legacy may very well be known only to a few, but to God they are right up there with the famous names we read about in the news or in the Bible.
So, formally on 11/1, many stop and thank God for the quiet saints who marked their life and inspired them to keep going, to keep growing, to inspire others, and now who have died. But is seems also a fine time to identify a saintly saint, flawed like all of us, alive and still modeling to us a worthy walk and following with an insatiable thirst for living water.
Pray for them by name, thanking God for the work being done in and through them, and that they would stay faithful to all that matters. Consider a phone call or a note to them saying the same. It may just come at the right time for them.
This can be done on any day. Every day can be All Saints Day, and the Book gives some guidance.
As you probably know, Hebrews 11 runs off a list of the faithful ones found in the Book and beyond. Some we know well and can recall their stories, others are less familiar. The writer builds on this at the top of chapter 12.
I love the image I squint to create to bring life to Hebrews 12:1-3. As you read this, paint your own mental picture of each scene.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
There’s so much in this passage to unpack, but for this morning and for me a couple of questions come into focus.
For me to live a life really worth living, what’s got me weighed down, what’s tripping me up?
If I’m to run my race, how might I set myself up for success on any day like today?
Here’s an example of how it looks in flesh and blood from someone very much alive today.
I remain close to a high school friend who still lives not far from where we grew up. He is a whole-hearted Jesus follower, cherishes his wife and family, is tuned in to the needs of the poor and serves weekly, and is a key member of their small church. He would blush at this description and be the first to say he is still quite far from where he wants to be, and so continues to find ways to grow in life.
He’s also a life-long runner who recently trained for and ran a half marathon. He dragged his geezer body out early most every morning and onto the trails near his home. He purposed to build up his mileage so as to be ready for the 13.1 miles on race day. This fall, he toed the line for the test he had prepared for.
He wasn’t all that fast, but he finished.
He wasn’t a top placer, but he medaled the same as if he had won.
He ran his race after stripping off gear unneeded for the task at hand.
He finished the course.
I take joy in calling him a friend, and it’s so fun to watch him use his running to build community through his running club and fitness group and to weave his faith into the fabric of folks who might not know how to spell Jesus, let alone know him. His name is Tom and I celebrate him today, not for headline-making impact, but for his long obedience in the same direction that makes a difference in many people like me.
Who comes to mind who has died that you want to remember and be thankful for?
For all my years as a believer, many saints helped model what faith looks like to me along my way. Today I remember and celebrate Lynn H., Esther W., Al S, Ron H., Larry Mc., KC S., Beryl J., Gale F., Grace C., Darryl B., Gerry B., Ed G., Barbara B., Mary C., Michelle W., Bud C., and all the others in the cloud that surrounds me. I’m better because of them, and the hope is my life will be the same to some other follower who comes behind and next.
Who are those leading the way today, showing you a bit more how to live with purpose, bravery, integrity, grace, kindness and who look like Jesus in most of their life?
That list for me is equally long and varied. These are my teachers and I am still eager to learn, so I watch and listen and laugh over the huge amount of blessings that come to me wrapped in the plain brown wrapping of humanity.
As for take aways this week…
First, thank God for and remember the lessons taught by these folks who have lived and died, like those in the crowd of Hebrews 12:1 cheering you on from heaven’s grandstands, saying,
“We were, now you are.”
Then look afresh at your teachers today and take the opportunity to light up someone’s day who lights up yours almost every time they greet you.
Every day is All Saints Day!
Let’s have some music
And Jokes, sure
At the chess tables in the park, a guy was playing chess—with a dog!
An amazed passer-by said, "I can't believe my eyes! That's the smartest dog I've ever seen!"
The guy said, "Nah, he's not so smart. I've beaten him 3 times out of 5."
****************
Rick, fresh out of accounting school, went to a interview for a good paying job.
The company boss asked various questions about him and his education, but then asked him, "What is three times seven?"
"22," Rick replied.
After he left, he double-checked it on his calculator (he knew he should have taken it to the interview!) and realized he wouldn't get the job.
About two weeks later, he got a letter that said he was hired for the job! He was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but was still very curious.
The next day, he went in and asked why he got the job, even though he got such a simple question wrong.
The boss shrugged and said, "Well, you were the closest."