These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16 CSB).‍

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One of my favorite characters in The Chronicles of Narnia is a small but fearless warrior mouse named Reepicheep. He is known for his courage and honor, never allowing his small stature to limit him when he faces danger or difficulty. What Reepicheep lacked in size, he made up for in words. He was never short on confident speech! Most importantly, Reepicheep is known for his unwavering devotion to Aslan. More than anything, Reepicheep longs to reach Aslan’s country. He pursues that hope wholeheartedly, even though his belief that he will find it is rooted largely in a prophetic lullaby sung over him as a baby. In one of his most memorable speeches, Reepicheep declares that he will sail east for as long as the ship can carry him, then paddle, swim, and finally sink with his nose toward the sunrise if he must, all in pursuit of Aslan’s country. That’s some serious commitment!

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Sure enough, at the end of Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Reepicheep finds Aslan’s country. He recognizes that his companions are sad to lose him, but he can barely contain his joy. He is described as quivering with happiness. He lays down his sword, climbs into his tiny boat, and sails into Aslan’s country.  

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Reepicheep’s pursuit of Aslan’s country gives us a picture of the persevering faith celebrated in Hebrews 11 – faith that keeps moving toward God’s promises even when their fulfillment remains far off. There are so many examples of this throughout the Bible, but let’s just look at Noah and Abraham. Noah obeyed God by building an ark in response to God’s warning about a flood he could not yet see. Did you know that bible scholars estimate he was building that boat for 55-100 years before the flood actually came? Abraham was called to leave his homeland and travel to a place God promised to give his descendants. God promised that those descendants would be as numerous as the stars, yet Abraham did not even have a child. It was another 25 years before he had Isaac. Abraham lived in the Promised Land as a foreigner, but he did not live to see his descendants possess it.

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Noah, Abraham, and the others named in Hebrews 11 experienced God’s faithfulness, but they did not receive the fullness of everything He had promised. They continued trusting Him because their hope ultimately extended beyond what they could receive in this life. They desired “a better place—a heavenly one.” That is why Hebrews says they “died in faith,” still looking toward promises they had seen and welcomed only from a distance.  

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Stories like these are so inspiring, and yet I know how much I struggle with waiting on promises when they feel far away. Scripture is filled with God’s promises, but their fulfillment does not always come within the timeframe I want. Some may not even come within my lifetime. Romans 8:19-21 talks about how our world will be freed from bondage one day. 2 Peter 3:13 reminds us that God promised a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells. Revelation 21:4-5 speaks a sweet promise that one day God will wipe away every tear and make all things new.

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Sometimes God brings healing, restoration, or justice within this life. Sometimes He allows us to experience a taste of what He will one day make complete. But the fullness of our hope will not be realized until God makes all things new. For now, we live as temporary residents, journeying toward our true home in the city God has prepared for us. Reepicheep’s love and pursuit of Aslan’s country is a beautiful, imaginative reminder of biblical hope: one day we will live forever in the presence of God, in the world He has restored and made new.

Living faithfully in the present while remaining rooted in God’s future promises is often described as having an eternal perspective. Where do you struggle to have an eternal perspective? For me, the struggle can surface in enormous and painful circumstances, like when serious illness is not healed or deep injustice remains unresolved. It can also appear in seemingly smaller areas, such as how I use my time and money. Do my choices reflect the priorities of God’s Kingdom, or am I living as though this present world is all there is? Maybe you can relate to one of these areas in your own life, or maybe God is bringing something else to mind. Today, ask Him to meet you in those places to strengthen your trust, refocus your hope, and help you live as someone who is journeying toward a better country. Even the faith we need to keep going is a gift from Him!