A word from Murray Beard:
One of my favorite bible verses comes from Hebrews 12:
"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."
If we rely on our own faith and understanding, there are so many things that can hinder us and drag us away from running that race of life that Jesus wants us to run. I know in my own life there have been times that I have veered off the path set for me, sometimes even getting stuck deep in the ditch where for periods of time I wallowed in pity, selfishness, and ungodly behavior.
Fortunately there have been many in my "cloud of witnesses" that saw me in the ditch and rather than walking past decided to reach down and pick me up, dust me off and set me on my way again. I give thanks for people like my grandmother Era, who was a constant fixture in my life as a teenager; for Bill Tickle who extended a hand of faith and friendship when I was lost in the wilderness as a young father; for Dale Caswell, who leads by active example in how to love your neighbor. The list goes on and on- Joyce, Elise, Tom, Ingram, Katie, Clint, Mary Lou, Dottie, Richard, Carol, Laura, Max......
During this Lenten season, as you analyze your faith journey, who is a part of your great cloud of witnesses? Who are those people, present and past, that have made a difference in your life? If they are still alive, tell them thanks this day. Share with them how they have been important in your faith journey.
More importantly, whose list are you on? Look around you- is there a friend in need? Is there a teenager that needs someone to talk to? A young adult that looks lost? Make a difference in the life of someone else today. Keep them on the path so they can run the race with you. After all, it is not who gets there first. We all win if we cross the finish line!! Thanks be to God.
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