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
Believers... we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses... that these watchful eyes... should inspire the laying aside of everything dragging us down... and sin that binds...
In context... this verse follows the great list of faithful... the witnesses referred to here... those done running... successfully lived out lives of faith... endured... and they should encourage us to run well too... but I just wonder...
Who else is watching...?
A world of unbelievers watches... our performance in the race reveals the validity of what we say we believe...
The most important of these unbelievers... our own children... grandchildren... nieces... nephews... those running after us...
No one comes into this world believing (with the exception of Jesus)... we all must come to a point where we decide what we believe based on the evidence laid out before us...
What have your children witnessed in your life...?
What about neighbors...? coworkers...? friends...?
It makes me squirm... just a bit... to consider what others see in me as evidence of faith...?
Have I laid down every weight...? fear...? anxiety...?
These things I used to power lift...
Have I replaced them with trust in Him...?
Oh... and sin... that which clings... entangles...
What is seen...? selfishness...? sarcasm...? words that bite...? arrogance...? (That's as far as I'll go here...)
Have I been growing in holiness...?
Do I walk the walk...? or just talk the talk...?
Who is watching...?
He's watching...
Fear of the Lord should definitely inspire endurance...
but most of all...
His love...
the love that motivated Him...
to endure...
for the joy set before Him...
So how do we run... surrounded by onlookers... witnesses...?
... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross...
Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Let His love for you...
ignite love for Him...
and in turn love for others...
You can't run the race... any better than this...
Just keep asking yourself... Who's watching...?
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