Tonight's Word 🌱

Artist's depiction of our cloud of witnesses 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2 🌱

Whether it be a story on the news or a theatrical play, the calamities of people's personal lives displayed on stage seem to often provide entertainment for, or condemnation from the public audience. In today's digital landscape, it is easy to participate in hasty commentary, adding pain to the injuries that individuals are already enduring.

I reflect on our own heavenly cloud of witnesses, as described in the Bible (Hebrews 12:1-2), watching us fall or be messed up in our own lives. Does heaven take pleasure in our pain and misfortunes? Thankfully, I suspect the answer is most likely not. They are constantly rooting for us toward the path of redemption. 

Each of us has the race of his/her life to run. If something has caused us to stumble, lose our way, slow down, cloud our path or has become an obstacle, the Bible encourages us to consider these as surmountable (defeatable) obstacles, and to purpose to keep moving forward, no matter how slowly it may be at some points of the race. 

Let our eyes fix on Jesus, and this will keep us oriented in the right direction. A runner is encouraged and fueled when they know they are being cheered for. Likewise, let our mind and resolve be strengthened by the knowledge that we have a heavenly audience rooting for us, and may our race of faith continue to the end, as Jesus did. Let us do all that we can to overcome by God's grace. Every single challenge and difficulty will be dim at the end of the race, because eternity with Jesus outshines everything else. This race will not go by unrewarded, we will not go by unredeemed. Be encouraged.

This song was shared with me this week. Be encouraged. 🎧🙏🏽

Unredeemed [Selah]

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