“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
Hebrews chapter 11 tells us the stories of those who served God with unflinching faithfulness through the toughest of times.
They suffered, risked, obeyed and trusted God to do what only He can do.
The verse above encourages us to look at the way they lived their lives and how they lived out their faith. When we do, their stories, their lives, their faith encourage us to keep trusting God and keep running our race.
They are witnesses to God’s great faithfulness.
They are to us, a greatgrandstand full of the people who have gone before us and are cheering us on, no matter how hard it gets.
They are cheering us on,
Telling us to not to get distracted by others running with us.
Telling us to keep our eyes on Jesus when the world distracts our focus.
Telling us to not give up when we are tired and our legs burn.
Telling us that we are almost at the finish line, almost there, and you can run your race.
Don’t stop now, don’t give up.
Look to the grandstand of witnesses and know that you don’t run in vain.
