Cloud of Witnesses

Recently, I watched a YouTube video of benefit concert for flood victims in my home state of Kentucky.  All of the performers were native Kentuckians and one young man in particular is from a small town in Lawrence County Kentucky. As I watched, I wondered what it must feel like to sing a song you wrote for your wife in front of 20,000 people while they sing every word.  Plus, this guy was on the biggest stage in his home state, singing with legends in the music industry.  How humbling and awe inspiring that must have been.   

My mind then wandered to Hebrews 11, where the author lists some of the heroes of our faith.  Abraham, Moses, and David just to name a few.  After he writes about these legends he says, "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses..." Meaning, we're in the same family as these people.  These forerunners of our hope and faith are rooting for us, cheering us on.  So, since they are for us, "let us run with endurance the race set out before us, looking to Jesus." 

So many of these men and women faced adversity and boldly claimed their faith in Jesus when no one else would.  They bled and died so we could have the Word of God and the message of Jesus Christ.  We are in that same lineage, that same family tree.  Our ancestors have marked out the path, so let's run down it.  Let's follow hard after Jesus, the one who is the reason for all we have.   

If it's too abstract to think about being in the same family as Moses, or the Apostle Paul, then think about those you know who shared their faith with you, and have gone on to be with Jesus. 

When I’m frustrated with work in the church, raising kids, or just life in general, it really helps me to think about the wooden cross that hangs in my home church. I remember the work bench in my grandpa's basement that held that cross, as he meticulously measured, sanded, and crafted it.  

I think of the Bible stories he told me and the lessons he shared on life and being a good Christian man.  Is he looking down on me now...watching me stumble, succeed, experience joy and sadness? I don't know.  I'd say he's still caught up with Jesus, who is just a bit more important.  But, my grandfather’s faith in Jesus, and witness compels me to keep running after my Savior, even when it's hard. 

I pray we take a minute and think about the sacrifices made by the witnesses before us, and ask Jesus to grow our faith in Him even more. 

Let’s keep running.