Sabbath Thought - Greatest Efforts

"One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one's greatest efforts," - Albert Einstein

Far too many people never achieve anything big, because they are scared of failing, they don't think they have the time needed, or that whatever big thing they might think about is not really that important. And yet, there are so many examples of "average" people who accomplished big things because they were willing to put in the effort. Albert Einstein started off working as a clerk in a patent office, but he knew that was not the work he wanted to do with his life. The list of top individuals in the arts, politics, or business is testament of this mindset.

What about us - God's called out one's? We are called as the foolish and weak (1 Corinthians 1:27), but we are not meant to stay there. We are called to greatness. One of the most encouraging chapters in Scripture is Hebrews 11. The author starts out discussing faith and the importance of that faith in our calling, and then he transitions to a brief recounting of examples of that faith in action by individuals who lived in the Old Testament times. One thing that is interesting about the names in Hebrews 11 is who is listed, and who is not. Some of the "big" names are there - Abraham and Moses, but David is only mentioned in passing. Isaiah, Daniel, Elijah are all absent. Some "minor" names are listed such as Rahab, Barak, and Jephthah. Many examples are simply summarized in verses 33-37.

The point of Hebrews 11 is not to be exhaustive with examples, but to show the "major" and "minor" characters, those mentioned in passing, and even those only alluded to, all had a calling that required their greatest effort. The hard times, the trials and persecutions, the seemingly unanswered prayers (verse 38) all required a singular vision (backed up by their effort and strengthened by God). They all knew God would certainly fulfill His promise of salvation (the true life) that He would give to them after the end of this life (Hebrews 11:39). That vision and determination is not understood at all by the world around us.

We may at times think we could only "barely achieve" God's Kingdom, or maybe not at all. This happens when our vision of eternal life is clouded by wrong thinking, drawing too much on our own strength, being distracted by the cares of life, or allowing Satan to discourage us. We are already the children of God (Galatian 3:26)! Because we are already the children of God, He gives us His spirit to strengthen, encourage, and edify us (Galatians 4:4) as the perfect Father that He is.

The Feast of Pentecost is only a little more than one week away. In observing that Holy Day, we are reminded of God giving His Holy Spirit to His people so our effort to become like Him can be successful. We are reminded that we are His First-fruits - the first "harvest" of mankind to be an example to the balance of mankind that will be harvested as well in due time. We can be reminded what God is offering and working out in each of us, something so much bigger than anything this life or this present world has to offer.

Isn't all of that worth our greatest effort?

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

8 June, 2024