We each have our own race to run. And no one carries the exact same burden as we do. But there have been many others who have lived a life of faith and who now stand as witnesses for us – testifying and reminding us it can be done.
During dark days it’s tempting to give up. We’re running hard but it doesn’t seem like our efforts are making any difference.
Can this be done? And is it even worth it?
And because there is a sense in which we are alone – others can only walk with us so far– it’s easy to give into despair if we don’t have others to encourage us along the way.
And this is where our cloud of witnesses can serve us.
Of course, Jesus himself sets the perfect example of how to live this life. And the saints of old recorded throughout the Scriptures provide other examples as well.
But like Timothy, we might also have been blessed to see a life of faith modeled personally by our parents or grandparents. Or, it might have come through a neighbor, a friend, a coworker, or even a story of faith of someone we’ve never met.
Whatever it looks like, our cloud of witnesses stands as a testament to the life of faith we now seek to live.
And during those dark days we can reflect on their life and find encouragement by following in their footsteps.
The particulars will naturally differ. But at the core of each story is an unwavering commitment to discover and live according to God’s best, even when it comes with a high personal cost.
In the end, we must still run our own race. But the faithful lives of others, past and present, can cheer us on along the way.
Remember with much gratitude the great cloud of witnesses God has given you. Let their stories of faith encourage you to keep fighting the good fight.
Photo by Emerson Vieira on Unsplash
