“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: 39-40
As I was praying at training camp, I got a picture of several measuring spoons. They started off small but got larger and larger. And God asked me a simple question, “Which one do you want?” My immediate answer was, “I want the big one.” It makes sense, right? I want more of whatever God is offering. But then He asked two more questions that were a little more complicated: “Do you know the price?” and “Are you ready?”
Honestly, I don’t know that I can answer either of those questions yet.
For me, this race involves walking in a legacy that began generations back. And I know that a price has already been paid for me to be here. I know my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents made sacrifices and prayed prayers that I’m walking in today.
But as I read the full chapter of Hebrews 11, I realize that my heritage runs much deeper than I have owned up to. There are countless people that received promises and sacrificed for those promises, but never saw the outcome. I am a part of what they were promised. By walking in what God has given me and owning those promises, their ceiling becomes my floor.
I believe I am the answer to prayers that have been prayed in Ireland, Ukraine, Russian, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Malaysia. In every country, another page will be added to the story of a long line of people praying for and believing in life.
There is still a price for me to pay and sacrifices I have to make on my own, but I am beginning with a foundation that has already been made strong. I don't always feel ready for the race, but there is no doubt it is exactly where I'm suppose to be…continuing in a promise given long ago.
So, my prayer is that as I walk in promise and pour out everything I have received, my finish line will become someone else’s starting line…that my ceiling will become someone else's floor.