Hebrews 11 Devotional #3: Venture, Adventure, Misadventure
Scripture:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” – Hebrews 11:8-12 (NRSV)
Prayer:
God of Sarai and Abram,
spark in me—in us—a faith like theirs,
a faith with a listening posture.
Beckon me—us—to hear,
to attend to your invitation
and to act.
Call to me—to us—to set out,
to respond to your whisper
and to embark on divinely-initiated ventures.
Steady me—steady us—to remain in those ventures,
even as things go awry, and venture becomes adventure,
then mis-adventure.
Let your promise resound to me—to us—
through generations, as co-heirs and co-adventurers
with Sarai, and Abram, with Rebecca and Isaac.
Keep my eyes—our eyes—always forward,
even on those days
when we are as good as dead.
By all of this, grant me—grant us—mature names,
Sarahs and Abrahams, growing us by faith
into that which you have envisioned
from that first beckoning.
-Amen