God’s ‘Red Carpet’ Is Different from Ours

Now that we’ve entered a new year, soon broadcasts of the annual award shows will begin – the Academy Awards (the Oscars), the Emmys, Tonys, the CMAs, ACMs, PDQs and XYZs. In fact, the Golden Globes is being aired this week. Are you shaking with anticipation? Think what you will of these showcases, some of which have devolved into platforms for political posturing. But they all share one thing in common: The red carpet.

Prior to each event celebrities and entertainment notables, wearing lavish and sometimes garish attire from renowned designers, parade across literal red carpets, reveling in the attention they receive. Representatives from the entertainment media – some of them celebs in their own right – fawn over these lovely and handsome folks, eager to capture their excitement over what another celebratory evening might hold. These are the crème de la crème, the “Who’s Who” of the silver and TV screens, stage, concert halls and arenas.

 

Watching them strut in all their glamour and sartorial splendor, we could easily conclude this is the ultimate in success. We can almost imagine these A-list characters wearing signs on their backs reading, “Betcha wanna be me!”

 

Did you know God has His own “red carpet”? He does, but with decidedly very different qualifications. We find numerous examples in both the Old and New Testaments, most of whom wouldn’t have been voted “most likely to succeed” in their high school yearbooks, let alone candidates for ‘starring roles’ in the Scriptures. For a closeup look at God’s version of the red carpet, we can turn to the 11^thchapter of Hebrews, often referred to as the “Hall of Faith. 

 

It starts with a couple of logical choices, Abel, Adam and Eve’s second son who offered a more faithful sacrifice to God than his vindictive, murderous brother, Cain. There’s also another of the first couple’s sons, Enoch, who “was commended as one who pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5) – to the degree that the Lord took him straight to heaven without experiencing death. 

 

But then we find a parade of virtual nobodies. Noah was happily minding his own business when God commanded him to construct a vessel to protect himself and his family from the global flood that would consume the rest of mankind. We’re told, “when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear [he] built an ark to save his family…and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

 

Next comes Abraham, who obediently left a comfortable lifestyle for an unfamiliar place of the Lord’s choosing because “he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). However, in the process he twice lied about his wife Sarah, claiming she was his sister because he feared foreign kings would kill him because of her beauty. So, he was hardly Mr. Perfect. Nevertheless, “Abe” was singled out because, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

The listing goes on to include Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, all of whom had checkered backstories but again were accorded special recognition solely because of their faith. Or as theologians would call it, “sola fide.” They’re followed by Moses, who flexed his faith muscles countless times while carrying out the dubious assignment of leading to headstrong, prone-to-wander Israelites. Not that he didn’t get sideways with God himself at times, but the Lord wasn’t looking for perfection, just genuine faith.

 

Perhaps most surprising in this ‘role call’ of biblical characters is a prostitute named Rahab. What?! She was the person who shielded the Israelite advance men when they came to scope out Jericho. You know, the city whose walls came tumbling down? “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient” (Hebrews 11:31).

 

Rahab is one of three women singled out in the earthly genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 1. Turns out she was the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth and became the father of Obed, who became the father of Jesse, whose son David would become king of Israel. She was David’s great-great-grandma.

 

Others cited in Hebrews 11 include flawed but faith-filled people like Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, the prophets, mighty warriors and martyrs not identified by name. What’s most important is these were individuals very much like us, commended not because they graced the magazine covers and walked crimson carpets but because they had hearts for God and were willing to be used by Him.

 

Their lives – and deaths – were not in vain. Because as the chapter concludes, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39).

 

In our most dubious, faith-wavering moments, we can find encouragement from these men and women in the Hebrews “hall of faith.” If they could persevere, remaining true to the Lord until the end, there’s no reason we can’t do so as well. 

We might never stroll one of Hollywood’s red carpets, but as the verse above promises, “God has planned something better for us.” He’s preparing a red carpet for us that we can’t even imagine. And it’s not because of our acting, singing, or performing abilities. Anything we’ve done, for that matter. Solely because of our faith in the Lord and what He’s done for us. 

Gotta Have Faith – But in What?

“You’ve got to have faith.” How many times have we heard someone say that? We’ve probably all said it ourselves at least once or twice. At times, when circumstances seem most bleak, we need faith to believe the light at the end of the tunnel is really there. Tears ago, singer George Michael even had a hit tune called, “You Gotta Have Faith.” Although its lyrics had nothing to do with real faith – at least not in the sense the word is commonly used.

We exist in a material world, but deep down the vast majority of us have a sense there’s a part of life that transcends what we can see, hear, touch and smell. Particularly in difficult times. That’s where faith rolls into the equation. As Hebrews 11:1 declares, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

So the consensus is that we need faith of some sort. The question is, faith in what? For instance, applying the verse above, imagine an attorney walking into a courtroom, striding toward the bench and telling the judge, “I’ve got evidence, your honor, but you can’t see it. And you can’t hold it, because it’s based on hope.” What kind of response do you think the lawyer would receive?

When we say, “You’ve got to have faith,” what kind of faith do we mean? I’ve seen obituaries that said Mrs. So-and-So was “of the Methodist faith” or “the Baptist faith.” Does that mean her faith was based on being affiliated with a certain denomination? Personally, I’ve connected with a variety of denominations over my lifetime, but none of them had the power to save me or resolve my problems.

We might have faith in a certain person, or group. But experience has taught us – or should have – that people will sometimes fail us, even those we trust the most. No political party, no church, no charitable organization, or even any branch of the military can reward our faith with 100 percent consistency.

Maybe we should just faith – in faith? You know, the “everything happens for a reason” variety, even though that still doesn’t answer why things should all happen for a reason – or who makes sure that’s the case. Ultimately, even though we might agree we need to have faith, who or what should serve as the object of our faith?

If we believe the Scriptures, there’s only one unfailing focus for our faith: God. We see Him in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The human mind is incapable of comprehending that completely, but that’s part of what faith is all about. 

Many passages in the Bible discuss faith, what it is and what it means for us. But perhaps none is more explicit and concise than Hebrews 12:2, which states, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Jesus Christ is to be the focus of our faith, because our hope, trust and relationship with God all are based solely on Him and what He has done for us.

The previous chapter of Hebrews, often called “the hall of faith,” cites numerous examples of our spiritual ancestors who lived according to faith, without the revelation we now have in the Scriptures. Starting with Abel, continuing through people like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab (a prostitute!), and the prophets, it states, “These all were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

So it’s true, we’ve got to have faith. But it’s important to know for sure what that faith is in – or Who it’s in. According to the Scriptures, it’s not multiple choice. And as was the case with the biblical patriarchs and prophets, the culmination of our faith may be a while in coming. 

That’s why we’re told, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Following Christ is indeed a walk of faith – but it’s a faith that assures us, it’s well worth the wait.

Taking Things for Granted

Have you ever had a boss, family member, or even a spouse that rarely complimented you when you did something well, but was quick to bring it to your attention when you made a mistake? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it – if that person was so good at noticing when you did something wrong, why couldn’t he or she try to catch you doing something right?

Maybe that kind of approach was intended as a backhanded compliment. They expected us to do things properly, so it caught them by surprise when we made an error. (At least we’d like to think that was the case.) Sadly, isn’t that how we view many of the things we utilize every day?

For instance, when we stick the key in the ignition and the car starts up, we don’t call our friends and throw a party. But if we turn the key and nothing happens, or we hear only “click-click-click,” we’re ready to call the manufacturer, the dealership, the car repair service, or anyone who’ll listen to our complaints.

Cars are supposed to start. When they don’t, it catches us off guard. The same applies to TVs, furnaces and air conditioners, computers, cell phones and every other gadget we use on a regular basis. We take them for granted – until something goes wrong and we’re in crisis.

If you notice your knee
when it bends, that's not good.

Several weeks ago, while moving some boxes to my garage, I turned awkwardly and twisted my knee. The stab of pain I felt instantly told me I’d made a wrong move, although I wasn’t aware of doing anything unusual. Over the next days my always-reliable, never-causing-me-any-trouble knee hurt. It was a real pain in the…knee. I hobbled around, even having to miss several of my morning exercise classes. Ibuprophen became my buddy.

I felt my knee had betrayed me. Joints are to be seen, not felt. They're supposed to be taken for granted. When you’re conscious of your joints moving, something’s not right.

We tend to hold a similar attitude toward spiritual faith. Even if we claim faith is important in our life, we take it with the proverbial grain of salt. As long as things are going well, it’s easy to claim a strong faith in God. We say, “Thank you, Lord,” while patting ourselves on the back. But when problems arise, we wonder what’s wrong. “Lord, what have you done for me lately?”

Tough times reveal the genuineness of our faith. It doesn’t require a lot of faith when we’re feeling good, the bills are all paid, work’s going well, the car’s starting, our family’s in harmony, and the house is warm and cozy. But what happens to our trust and confidence in God when things aren’t going the way we want?

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” I don’t believe God brings adversity into our lives to watch us squirm. But He allows hardships because through those situations we’re reminded how desperately we need Him.

Another verse, Hebrews 11:1, states “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” We don’t need to hope for resolutions to problems that are already solved, or for things we already possess. The eyes of faith assure us God will do for us those things we can’t see.

A friend has struggled with cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, since childhood. Hard work and perseverance enabled him to live far beyond the most optimistic expectations of his physicians. He got married, had children and established a successful business career, despite his severe physical limitations. Through it all, his faith remained strong, trusting God for healing.

A few weeks ago he and his family saw their prayers answered. He received a double lung transplant, and today is progressing well in recovery, hopeful of many more years of fruitful life, loving his family and friends, and serving his Lord.

His faith gave substance to his hopes, evidence of God’s promise to restore his health when the medical experts said it wasn’t going to happen. He’s a living example of faith in action.

So the next time your faith is challenged, when your calm and tranquil life is disrupted by chaos, think of it as an opportunity to exercise that faith, to wait and see what God is going to do. And to be reminded that God is good – all the time.