“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 ESV

This verse is preceded with what is often called “faith’s hall of fame” in chapter 11. The roll call of those mighty men and women of God who are now cheering us on as we run our race. If all of these heroes are in my cloud of witnesses, why couldn’t my loved ones that have gone before me be there as well? 

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.” MSG

Did you get that? Literally, my Mom and Dad, my grandparents, my father-in-law, other relatives, and dear friends could be cheering me on. Why not?

It reminds me of sitting at a ballgame. My team is tired and discouraged. Maybe they have made some mistakes that have cost them ground. The competition is intense. Bruised and sore they might feel as if they have disappointed their people. 

What do I do? What do all those in the crowd do? We cheer. We cheer loud. If that player on the sidelines turns around and throws his hand up, we cheer louder. Our team needs to know that we are behind them. We love them. We infuse them with a bit of courage. Not only with courage but with the confidence that we are on their side. They have people and their people are there. 

Every good play, we say “Do it again!” Every mistake we say, ” Shake it off. You will get it right next time!” Y’all, can we imagine our cloud, our crowd, our cheerleaders are doing the same for us? The revelation of this from the Holy Spirit to my spirit makes my heart smile. It makes me want to run hard and try my best. 

It also makes me want to cry ’cause I miss my Mom,  makes me smile ’cause that girl (Mom) who was my biggest cheerleader is still at it, and it makes me excited because my father-in-law, a writer himself, is cheering me on as I write.  

Who would be in your cheering section? How does it make you feel to think that there is a delightful possibility that those you love and miss are still your biggest fans? 

There are so many aspects of our spiritual lives where no details are given. I’m more curious these days. Looking a little deeper at life and the Bible also means that I’m trying harder to listen and hear God speaking to my heart. I know He speaks. I’m pretty sure the disconnect is on our end. Jesus said in Matthew 11:15 to listen up. I like the sound of it in the CEV, “If you have ears, pay attention!” 

Lord, we trust You to speak to our hearts and reveal mysteries, in due time, that are hidden. We thank You for the assurance that our cloud of witnesses is cheering us on to run our race; the race you have set before us. Our personal path is full of possibility. We love you, too! In our dear Savior’s name, Jesus, Amen.

Linking up with Debbie Kitterman, Dare 2 Hear, today!