A Cloud Of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us.

As a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to look at the clouds and try to name what I saw. A turtle. A face. A car. A sailboat. It was such a fun game to play as we drove in the car.  There was always something so mysterious and beautiful about clouds. I loved the car rides when my mom would say, "Taura and Tiayra, look up and tell me what you see." When I became a teacher, I always wondered if my mother, realized that she was building creativity and critical thinking skills in me and my sister with such a "fun" game. 

Years later, and I still look to the clouds. While reading Hebrews a few years, after my mother's death, I read about the cloud of witnesses. The Bible is a living word. I had read about the cloud of witnesses for years, but this time the meaning was different. I immediately thought about my mother now being in the cloud. 

The cloud of witnesses is full of the saints of old. Hebrews 11, lists all of the people who make up the cloud of witnesses. The cloud includes Abel, who brought a better offering to God; Noah who built an ark by faith, before the flood came; Sarah who was past childbearing years, but believed God for a son. The list goes on and on, Joseph, Rahab, Moses, Gideon, Barak, David and Samuel - just to name a few. Verse 13, is the highlight of Hebrews Chapter 11 for me, "All these people were still living by faith when they died." 

A few weeks ago after our daily walk, my friend Angela, and I started talking about the special jewels we possess because of the people that God placed in our lives. I don't mean material jewels, but knowledge, more specifically, spiritual knowledge and resources. We discussed Sandra, my mother and her Aunt Delores at length. By the end of the conversation, we were both in tears thinking about all the life lessons and spiritual jewels they left behind. Their faith catapulted us into the women that we are today. And even though both are now resting in peace, they left a legacy of faith and wisdom that carries us forward.

Mom and Aunt Delores, are much like the people of faith listed in Hebrews. They persevered, through their trials and situations. They never gave up. They received the reward of Heaven. Their faithfulness is our constant encouragement. Each line in Hebrews 11:32-40, starts with by faith and it lists what each one did to exude faith. Our faith is what moves and pleases God. All of the witnesses, lived in faith until they died (Hebrews 11:13). 

Hebrews 12: 1 -2 is the figurative representation of people cheering us on. They are the Faith Spectators who stand on the edge of the cloud and cheer for us as we run. They shout... "Run, girl! Don't give up! You can do it! Stand firm in your faith! You go girl! Be encouraged!" They are our encouragers. From their lives, we learn courage to keep moving. Do you know what it means to be discouraged? It means that your courage has been taken away. You have lost courage. Dis means apart, asunder, away. But when someone encourages you, they put courage back into you. En means in or into. 

These Godly examples give us the courage to face the battles, obstacles, circumstances and sin that "so easily beset (torment, overwhelm, plague) us." The fact of the matter is that we will all stumble if we look away from Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. 

I know for sure that the pioneers of faith are in the "cloud" cheering us on, but I often envision my mother, peering down and cheering me on, surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses. They all died in faith and encourage us to continue to "run with perseverance, the race that is set before us" so that we may receive the ultimate prize - the gift of Heaven.

I see the love of God all over this scripture. Do you? Revelations 12:11, says that the saints triumphed over the accuser by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. You see how God sends rays of encouragement on every side? You have earthly encouragers (preachers, teachers, friends), but you also have a Bible full of people who urge you on through their lives of faith, and then you have a cloud of witnesses urging you on as well. Take some time today to think about who's in your cloud of witnesses. 

Stay faithful and Be encouraged. Anytime you feel discouraged, look up at the clouds and know that the witnesses are cheering you on. Remember to live in the Red - loved and forgiven! 

#Loved

#Forgiven

#GratefulForTheCloud