Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
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 the so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Yesterday, we discussed the first “huge crowd of witnesses” to our “life of faith” on this earth. We discussed that when we realize that the lives we live can be the difference in someone choosing Jesus and spending eternity in Heaven or rejecting Jesus and spending eternity in Hell, it changes absolutely everything.
We’re going to talk about that “crowd of witnesses” one more day. The second crowd that came to mind was the “huge crowd of witnesses” up in Heaven.
The many saints that have paved the way to where we find ourselves today.
Defenders of the faith.
Ordinary people that have given up comfort, security, and even their very lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Knowing that Peter, Paul, King David, King Solomon, Samuel, Moses, John (the Baptist, not the pastor), and even our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, are cheering me on with every step I take blows my mind.
In the same way, thinking about the sacrifices that “ordinary saints” have made over the past 2,000 years to make sure that Jesus Christ is a vibrant part of my life today is tremendously humbling. When surrounded by this “huge crowd of witnesses” to my “life of faith,” those hard things that Christ calls me to do become easier. They become less of a burden. They become more than options. They become the ONLY choices I can make.
I pray that your eyes are opened. I pray that you are able to sense the “huge crowd of witnesses to your “life of faith.”
Run with endurance! They’re cheering you on!
