Hebrews 11 is a hall of fame listing people with amazing faith. Abraham, Moses, Rahab, David, and more are mentioned. They were all people of great faith and obedience. And yet, “all of these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises from a distance and welcomed them.” (Hebrews 11:13a)

This epic chapter starts by stating, “Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.” And that proved true for all of these men and women. They had faith, obedience and hope, but did not see the fruit of everything they worked and longed for. It’s as if God cares more about the lead measures than the lag measures. To say it another way, God cares more about our obedience and character than the results of our labors and hopes. As a task driven, results oriented perfectionist, that is a tough reality for me. I want to see all the results of my hard work, but God just wants my faith and obedience, and to trust him with the rest. Therein lies the grinding growth of character and maturity.

Thank you for your faith and hope in God for a better life for families and children around the world, and for your obedience to join Him in taking the love of Jesus to unreached places. Because of your obedience and action, children have been rescued, churches have been started and families have been empowered. We see some of the fruits of our labor and investment, but have faith that God will exponentially increase this kingdom impact into a forest of faithfulness from our seeds of hope.

May we continue to act in faith and obedience even when we cannot see all the fruition of God’s promises to their full extent.