Hebrews 6:11-12 - Oldies but Goodies (a.k.a. The real stairway to heaven.)

 
 Sandro Botticelli lived in Florence from about 1445 - 1510. He was the famed artist who did the painting known as "The Birth of Venus," the goddess portrayed standing on a seashell, with the sea behind her.*

A couple years ago, we were invited to visit some friends in Florence. Their apartment was on the third or fourth floor, and as we climbed the first set of stairs, we noticed their worn condition. Even though they were constructed from marble or granite, there was a deep indentation in the middle of each step. The indentations were deep enough that one had to be careful not to trip.

Our host explained that their building had been owned by the Botticelli family... over five and a half centuries earlier. When we finished visiting our friends, we descended the same stairs with a kind of awe. Who lived here after the Botticelli family? What were the people like? What burdens did they carry--literally or figuratively--as they trudged up and down those stairs?

The book of Hebrews encourages us to follow those who've gone before us:
"11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:11–12, NET Bible. See Heb. 13:7)

Those verses are about godly examples like those given in Hebrews 11: Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and many others too numerous to mention by name.  They left a well-worn path for us, even if it didn't include stairs!

Father, there are many paths we can take in our daily lives. Some seem much more attractive or easy to follow than others. (Matthew 7:13) We need courage and stamina to follow the well-worn path of saints who have been faithful to You. May our steps add to the character and beauty of walking not by sight, but by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Amen.

 

Birth of Venus by Botticelli - Uffizi Gallery, 2021.
Stairs: June 17, 2019