Surrounded by support

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.." Hebrews 12:1a  NRSV

"You can do it!  I believe in you!! Just a few more lines and you'll be finished!"   These were my words to our son yesterday. No, it wasn't a track meet, but a handwriting assignment.  He has his mother's penchant for procrastination, and put off an ongoing assignment until the last minute.  Yesterday morning, 90 minutes before he was to leave for school, he woke up and started writing.  While I made breakfast and packed lunch, I cheered him on and helped him focus at the task at hand.

You see, at 6am, doing an assignment he'd put off because he really didn't WANT to do it, our son was getting discouraged at this thing he had to do.  Motherly instincts kicking in, I did what I could...short of writing the lesson myself.  I cheered the boy on.  That early morning pep session got me thinking....

In the book of Hebrews, the writer draws the readers' attention to the faith of those who have gone before us--Abraham, Sarah, and the people of Israel.  They believed in the promises of God even when there was no evidence to trust them, and because of God's work in and through them, they are a 'great cloud of witnesses' to cheer on future generations.

Who have been the people to cheer you on in your lifetime? Was there a great teacher, a vibrant and encouraging parent, a faithful friend who never lost faith in you?  We may be at a place and territory where it is harder to hear the encouragements now, and harder for those around us to know how to encourage us, or we may have ample encouragement.  Either way, I invite us all to think back to the special people in our lives who have cheered us on.  Remember...what did they say?  When did they say it?  What did it mean to you? What might that beloved person say to you now if they could?  How did the way they lived their life and their faith give you courage to take a next step?

Draw strength from the great cloud of witnesses today-- let their voices and encouragement for you in the past, give you wisdom to live boldly and eventually be a bold witness for others, even in this illness.

Holy God, thank you for working in the lives of your people throughout the centuries.  Thank you for working in the lives of people in our life, and for the encouragement you give through their witness.  Draw us in today and help us once again be encouraged by the words and the lives of your people of faith.  Amen.