Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
When I was in high school, and later on in my young adult life, I remember attending various sporting events with my friends. I never was considered an athlete, but I loved going to the games. Being in the stands, we would all enthusiastically scream and clap for our favorite players, and when our team scored a touchdown or hit a homerun, we’d join the entire stadium as it exploded in thunderous cheering and applause. Sometimes our team would have a rough season where the victories were few and far between, but that didn’t change our support of them. We still showed our support by attending the games faithfully and shouting words of encouragement throughout the course of play. We continued to wave our banners high! We screamed for each victory, no matter how small! And we believed in our hearts that they would soon be on another winning streak.
Even though I am not an athlete, I have a cheering squad also. My supporters are in the heavenlies. I can them all in my mind’s eye… I see my mother rallying me on from the sidelines. I can hear her shouting my name, encouraging me to stay focused, do my best, and keep going! I see her hands waving at me, making sure I know she is there! But I see that my mom is not the only one cheering me on. There is a “cloud of witnesses” along side her. I look around and see Lazarus standing beside his sisters, Mary and Martha smiling and waving at me. I hear Esther and Ruth calling out to me, telling me to remain faithful. I see Paul and Barnabas clapping their hands for me. I see Timothy with his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice giving me a “thumbs up” as I run past them. And there are others… so many others! Chapter 11 of Hebrews gives a whole list of those who are cheering me on! I can even see the angels of heaven hovering above the crowd as well, pointing toward the finish line. When I round the last turn, the line is in view, and I see Jesus! He is just on the other side of the ribbon stretching across the track. I see His warm smile, His approving nod, and His outstretched arms. He is watching and waiting for me!
One day, I will cross that finish line and collapse into His strong arms which will envelope me in His love, and as this happens, I will know I have won my race when He whispers to me, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Until then, I’m going to keep on running.
In tears. That’s all I need to hear from Jesus when I’m face to face: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Sometimes, it what keeps me going!