She was the epitome of a “plain Jane.” Faithful and unassuming, Jane attended weekly church services with her family, and she gave regularly to those in need. Her dad was a pastor, and two of her brothers followed in his footsteps. Jane, meanwhile, was more likely to put her thoughts on paper than to preach.
We stand in the shadows of the faithful before us, and we pave the path for those yet to come.
Only a few of Jane’s writings have survived over the years, including a small collection of prayers retained by her sister.
“Thou art everywhere present, from thee no secret can be hid,” wrote Jane. “Above all other blessings, oh God, for ourselves, and our fellow-creatures, we implore thee to quicken our sense of thy mercy in the redemption of the world, of the value of that holy religion in which we have been brought up, that we may not, by our own neglect, throw away the salvation thou hast given us, nor be Christians only in name.”
Jane was virtually unknown when she entered eternity at the age of 41.
It wasn’t until her nephew published a body of her works in 1869 – 50 years after her passing – that Jane Austin became one of the most popular, influential and respected authors of all time.
What They Couldn’t See
In Hebrews 11, we read a longer list of famous believers – Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah – who share in Jane’s unrecognized-in-their-own-lifetimes distinction.
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” (Hebrews 11:13, NIV)
During their lifetimes, they did not see how God would use their faithfulness to shape the world. They did not see how God would multiply and expand upon their meager efforts.
They did not see why thousands of years later we’re still talking about their stories.
In fact, the Bible tells us that it’s because they couldn’t see what God was doing that they were honored.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Hebrews 11:1-2, NIV)
Forward in Faith
Truth is, most of us will never fully understand God’s plan for our lives on this side of eternity. After all, God never promised us clarity. He promised He would be with us and “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)
We are all part of God’s one big redemption story. We stand in the shadows of the faithful before us, and we pave the path for those yet to come.
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40, NIV)
Are you unsure if you’re making a difference in the lives of those around you? Are you questioning what impact your life will ultimately have on the world? You’re in good company!
Listen for God’s voice and keep following His lead. Keep loving. Keep sharing. Keep doing. Keep giving.
Walk forward in faith, knowing God is everywhere present. Only in eternity will faith become sight.
This post was originally written for Generosity Today, a publication of Barnabas Foundation. To learn more and subscribe, CLICK HERE.
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