“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Heb 12:1
Stories of great men and women are always inspiring, especially ones that are no mere legends. The more true the story, the more inspiring. Such stories show how real men and women can do extraordinary things. Of course, greatness as it may be defined, is a matter of perspective. The most inspiring lives are the ones that speak of incredible faith, love, and hope. Maybe such lives don’t seem at all great in the eyes of the world, but such lives mark greatness as it is defined by the kingdom of heaven. Trials proved genuine the faith they possessed. Their lives bared witness to and gave evidence of a divine power that enabled them in all things.
Inspired by His nature, they sought to emulate Him in their ways. They are truly an uncommon find, a rare breed. They were willing to go where no man or woman had gone before or at least where few were willing to go. And it is this unique trait that makes their lives so inspiring - their willingness to let go of what few others are willing to give up. In this way, their very lives became like a sweet fragrance, an aroma to inhale - they are redolent of something so good, so other-worldly that one cannot help but taste Heaven. Lives such as those of George Muller, James H. Taylor, Gladys Alyward, Amy Carmichael, the Stams, and William Carey - who all left the common path to live for something greater than themselves. Each one carried a torch with them in their race to the finish line, only to give it away to the next person. And that is the legacy they left us - that someone else would come after them, pick up the torch and carry on where they left off.
