Inspire

Written by Bob Buse

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November 16, 2024

Hebrews 6:9-12 “ But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that
accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your
work and ] labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to
the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the
full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who
through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

One of the things I enjoy is watching video clips of great finishes, particularly in the arena of
sports. A favorite of mine is Dave Wottle’s come from behind victory in the 800-meter run at
the ’72 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. For the first half of the race Wottle ran at the back
of the pack. He started his signature kick on the bell lap and won the gold medal by inches. Each
time I watch this clip I am inspired all over again as I am by many other great comebacks and
finishes in human history.

The author of Hebrews is writing this letter to encourage saints to finish their race of faith
strong. The metaphor of a runner’s race is a distinguishing mark of this epistle (Chapter 12).
Many of the Jewish believers who received this letter were, at worst, turning away from the
faith, “crucifying again for themselves the Son of God;” at best, becoming dull, sluggish and
falling behind on the spiritual growth track. The remedy for this condition, states the author, is
to remain diligent in work and labor of love, and to imitate those who have gone before and
inherited the promises of God through faith and patience.

I have been running the race of faith for nearly 50 years. In that time, I have learned much
and experienced a lot. On this marathon journey I have discovered education is important,
information is valuable but INSPIRATION is vital. I now have a compelling desire to inspire and
be inspired!

The etymology of the word “inspire” is derived from the bible. It can be traced back to the
Latin word “inspirare” which means to breathe or blow into. “And the Lord God formed man of
the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life; and man became a
living being” (Genesis 2). The Lord God Creator was the first to inspire. Inspiration has the same
effect on our life today: it breathes new life into us. Inspiration is the remedy for the soul that
has become sluggish, dejected and discouraged. Knowledge is good. It is like the food we ingest
which nourishes us; but inspiration is like the oxygen we inhale that keeps us alive. I can go
without food for a season, but I can’t go without air.

Hebrews tells us to “imitate” (GK. Mimetes = mimic) those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. This is a challenge to find people who are faithful to the finish and follow
their example. There are many. I have had the honor of meeting and being inspired my several
great men of God on my faith journey: Lester Sumrall, T.L. Osborn, Howard Foltz, Larry

Stockstill, and more. I have marked their lives and follow their example. Each one has inspired
me to finish my race.

Who, or what, inspires you? This is a very important question to answer. It reveals the
relationships you have that are life giving; which motivate you; spur you on, bring out the best
in you. Without these inspiring relationships we become dull, listless and stop making progress.
The Apostle Paul used the challenge of imitation as a motivational tool. “Imitate me just as I
also imitate Christ;” Again, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet
you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the
gospel. Therefore, I urge you, imitate me.” With my words I may instruct, but by my example I
will inspire. We all have had instructors in our lives who passed along knowledge, but it’s those
who inspire us that we remember most. Something in their life speaks to the divine spark in my
life. They inspire us to be more, do more, reach more, give more; realize my full potential in
Christ.

Here are a few thoughts about inspiration I would like to pass along.

Inspiration is Diverse. Inspiration works differently upon each individual. We are most inspired
by people like us: who share similar gifts, interests and experiences. Once I learn how God has
gifted me and my purpose in life, I will gravitate towards others who are like me. A relationship
in the bible that illustrates this well is Elijah and his protégé, Elisha. Elijah was a prophet in
Israel. He was instructed to anoint Elisha as his successor. The younger served the older for over
20 years, following him, learning from and imitating his spiritual father. Elijah inspired Elisha to
do greater works. In fact, twice as many miracles are attributed to Elisha than his mentor. This
is how inspiration works. Many things can’t be learned from a book. They must be caught not
taught.

On one of our first missions abroad I was given a book titled, Chasing the Dragon, written by
Jackie Pullinger. The book documents Jackie’s ministry inside the infamous Walled City in Hong
Kong – one of the most spiritually dark places on the planet at that time. As a young,
inexperienced, single woman, she faced down the depravity and dangers to make a difference
for Christ. Her story is epic and inspirational. I was inspired because our callings are similar. She
was sent a dark and difficult place to preach to those who would otherwise never have heard
the Gospel.

Inspiration follows Aspiration. To aspire is to have a goal; a strong desire. We may call it vision.
It is a very definite pursuit or passion. Elisha aspired to a “double portion” of the anointing
upon Elijah. Even when he was tested to stay behind and stop following his spiritual father, he
refused and continued to pursue with passion. When asked what he desired, Elisha answered
emphatically: a double portion. And he received it! Without an aspiration nothing will inspire
us. Having no aspiration is the state of apathy or as the writer of Hebrews describes, sluggish. I
meet a lot of people with this condition. It seems the older one gets, the more susceptible they
become. It is the lack of clear vision or purpose. “But, beloved, we are confident of better things
concerning you.”

Years ago, I aspired to become a better communicator. I understood, to be effective crossing
cultures and communicating the Gospel required exceptional skills in understanding people and
connecting with them in their unique context. I may not be as proficient as I would like, but I
continue to aspire to excellence as a communicator.

Inspiration proceeds from a Proven Track Record

I am always inspired by the life of Caleb in the bible. Caleb inherited the promises God made
to him. He waited 45 years to receive his promise; enduring all that time in the wilderness;
going around in circles; waiting for a rebellious, unbelieving generation to die. When the day
arrived, Caleb went up to his buddy, companion in the faith, fellow inheritor of the promises,
the leader of Israel, Joshua, and demanded the promise God, “Now therefore give me this
mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the
son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” (Joshua 14).

Caleb had a different spirit: an indomitable spirit. His legacy is he “fully followed the Lord.” He
was diligent and faithful until the end. Caleb finished strong! Now, that’s a life to imitate. His
tenacity and optimism breathe new life into me. What is the mountain God has promised to
you? What are you doing to possess it? Find the people and the things that inspire you and
allow them to fill your sails with the wind of God.

Quotable:

“Our dreams need to be constantly nourished by inspiration.”

“When I stop aspiring, I can no longer be inspired and will eventually expire.”

Do you want to inspire others? Here are a few things to consider: