Churches in the mainline and those with more liturgical styles recognize All Saints Day on the Christian calendar. It’s officially November 1 but celebrated in worship on the first Sunday of November. For those who don’t follow this cycle of identifying special days during the year, you might consider it a Christian Memorial Day.

As I write this, I’m thinking, not of ancient saints who lived in distant times and places, but those people who were influential in my faith development. Most of them are long gone but still hold a special place in my heart. There are far too many to mention. My life has been so blessed by numerous saints who shared their witness to the presence and power of the Lord in their lives. Because of them, I gave my life to the Lord at age 14 and have continued to grow in understanding and commitment throughout the years.

Saints give us inspiration, correction, guidance, and information, as they model the life of conviction.

I’m sure you could make your own list of saints who helped and encouraged you in your faith walk.

The writer of Hebrews included such a list in chapter 11 of that book in our Bibles. It is sometimes known as the Roll Call of Faith. The “cloud of witnesses” (Heb.12:1) described here were from the Hebrew Scriptures, mothers and fathers in the faith. Their lives were not perfect but were examples of obedience and belief that shouted their testimony down through the ages.

Saints don’t have to be perfect. Thank goodness. That gives you and me a chance to add our names to the continuing scroll of the Roll Call of Faith. We leave the perfecting and transformation of our lives to the Holy Spirit.

The story is told of a little boy listening to the preacher in their church’s beautiful sanctuary. The minister asked, “And who are the saints?” The boy shouted, “Those are the people that the light shines through,” as he pointed to the stained glass windows.

May the Light of the World, Yeshua/Jesus, our Savior, shine through us.

Shalom, Dottie