"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
What a great picture! Running the race-living the life-that God has set before you. And doing so before a great cloud of witnesses, those family and friends who have gone on before us and who are watching with pride as we run.
It's not easy, this race of life. They know it because they went on before us, often being trailblazers, teaching us along their way.
The author of Hebrews uses the image of a great stadium, with a huge crowd filled to capacity with the great spiritual athletes of the past, encouraging us through the testimonies of their lives as we take our place in the arena as followers of Christ.
During my life, I have been in many large stadiums and arena's, watching various sporting events and taking in the various oohs and aah's of the crowd. The ones that I enjoy the most are the stadiums that are small but the fans are so passionate, so loud, that when a pass is picked off or a ball is dunked, that the roar nearly knocks you off your feet.
In my opinion, the reaction of even the most rabid fans in the largest stadium can't compare with the loving enthusiasm with which the crowd of the faithful witnesses cheers us on! By God's grace and through faith in Him, we have salvation and have promised to make a difference in this world of pain, heartache, sickness, sorrow, pressure, hardship, and even death-all for the glory of His name.
We may be criticized, persecuted, misunderstood, and even condemned because of our belief in Jesus Christ and for what we do in His name. But, continue to run the race, draw strength from Him and each day our stamina will grow greater and greater until we eventually reach our ultimate goal.
What a great picture! Running the race-living the life-that God has set before you. And doing so before a great cloud of witnesses, those family and friends who have gone on before us and who are watching with pride as we run.
It's not easy, this race of life. They know it because they went on before us, often being trailblazers, teaching us along their way.
The author of Hebrews uses the image of a great stadium, with a huge crowd filled to capacity with the great spiritual athletes of the past, encouraging us through the testimonies of their lives as we take our place in the arena as followers of Christ.
During my life, I have been in many large stadiums and arena's, watching various sporting events and taking in the various oohs and aah's of the crowd. The ones that I enjoy the most are the stadiums that are small but the fans are so passionate, so loud, that when a pass is picked off or a ball is dunked, that the roar nearly knocks you off your feet.
In my opinion, the reaction of even the most rabid fans in the largest stadium can't compare with the loving enthusiasm with which the crowd of the faithful witnesses cheers us on! By God's grace and through faith in Him, we have salvation and have promised to make a difference in this world of pain, heartache, sickness, sorrow, pressure, hardship, and even death-all for the glory of His name.
We may be criticized, persecuted, misunderstood, and even condemned because of our belief in Jesus Christ and for what we do in His name. But, continue to run the race, draw strength from Him and each day our stamina will grow greater and greater until we eventually reach our ultimate goal.
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