Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
It was the last inning. The scores were tied and our team desperately needed a home run to win the game. The pressure was on. Our son was up to bat. So far, he hadn’t hit a single ball. Suddenly, the parents in the bleachers rose to their feet and began to clap, cheering him on. “Come on, Ben. You can do it. Keep your eyes on the ball.” His teammates and coaches joined the chant. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. Despite his poor track record, everyone was pulling for him.
With the crowd’s cheers ringing in his ears, our son raised his bat over his shoulder and locked eyes on the pitcher. With a loud whack, the bat slammed the ball and sent it flying. The crowd went wild. You would have thought Babe Ruth had just scored as parents, kids, and coaches erupted in loud cheers and thunderous applause. Eyes brimming with tears, I stood with the crowd and clapped for my son who had just hit a home run. But it was the kids, the coaches, and the parents pulling for him that gave me the greatest thrill that day.
Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that we also have a crowd of witnesses surrounding us. We aren’t alone in this race. On the sidelines, saints are pulling for us. Saints we know from the Bible, such as Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, along with loved ones who have gone before us; mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, children, friends.
We may not see them or hear them, but they are in our corner, nonetheless. And in the midst of them, Jesus cheers us on, saying, “Come on, (insert your name), you can do it. Do not grow weary or lose heart. Just keep your eyes on Me and keep moving forward.”
Keep your head up and your eyes fixed upon Jesus. There’s a home run just waiting for you.
Thought: “If you can’t fly, then run, If you can’t run, then walk, If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
For further reading:
- Galatians 6:9
- Philippians 3:13-14
- 1 Peter 1:13
- James 1:12