Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

The scripture referenced above is one of the great scriptures of the Christian faith. However, the words of the scripture have an important impact for those who seek direction. The verse uses a key word, “NOW.” The reality of life is that most of us function in the now. We talk about the future, yet, most of our conversation revolves around how we live and usually, what we don’t have. However, the key ingredient of life is to live in the blessing of the now. A famous inspirational speaker once stated that when we are presented with an opportunity, we have no more than 5 seconds to respond. Even in our no responses we have given an answer. Most opportunities pass us by because we do not take serious stock. Most of us believe that we have time to seize an opportunity. However, the truth of the matter is that like the commercial, “offers will not last long.”

The other significant word is faith. The faith this is spoken of is, of course, a faith in God. More to the point, it also may be the faith of and belief in, one’s personal power. Usually, when I encounter individuals, they are looking for a miracle. Yet, we forget the personal power that comes from deep within. When we encounter those who embody this virtue, words like tenacious, persistent, go-getter and trail blazer come to mind. I submit that these individuals are possessed of a faith that reminds them that they have everything that they need to be successful. They have found out that if one can tap into the energy from deep within, then one will find a reservoir of determination that is only sustained by the knowledge that luck is when opportunity meets preparation; and of course that starts now.

More than likely, the natural point of departure is to move to the word “things.” Yet the word substance is far more important. It has more to do with the word essence than anything else. The essence or the sincere intention of a person is what brings things into our life. The things that we need are in our core, in our center. Most of us hear people state that their need is money or a specific thing. However, the things we really need cannot be purchased with money. Peace, prosperity, promotion, and opportunity are all things that money cannot buy. Money may come as a result of these things, but it is not the thing. If we take some time to do a soul check, we will notice that most of what we desire is the essence of who we are; the substance.

The most profound word in the text is the word hope. Hope is an essential ingredient to help us live and function. It is the basis by which we call the unseen. Hope is the force that causes positive energy to be a sustaining force within us, our secret places, and without it we simply fail to really live. In the military, we refer to it as motivation, driving force, some would even say it is the esprit de corps, but the raw fact is that it is a burning fire that causes us to envision a different reality that the one we currently live. It is a magnet that pulls future goals, dreams and visions from the unknown to our present.

The power of the verse is that it has both a spiritual and secular application. Spiritually, for those that are Christian, it helps us to know that God calls us to have faith in the promises that have been written in our sacred text. The secular application is that it reminds us that we should have a vision of where it is that we want to be and labor to make that vision a reality. Whether sacred or secular one cannot deny the fact that if one shouts for the stars and only hits the moon, than at least we have left earth and we are far better than when we first started. Therefore, dream young private of becoming a sergeant major. If you only make it to E8, then at least you would have made it to a place that was greater than when you began your journey. Dream you second lieutenant of becoming a general officer. If you make it to colonel, you will have gone further than many who started the journey with you.

May the grace of God grant you strength for the journey, wisdom for the race, and the hope to fuel the fire within that causes you to run with patience to the finish line of fulfillment.