His race

When your traveling down life's path there are some people that are always looking out for you.  The Bible calls them "Your great cloud of witnesses."  Some maybe older but most will be wiser because they have already run the race or at least are further ahead then you are.

 Hebrews 1:1 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...

 I'd love to be able to run, but a bad knee keeps me from attempting it.  If I could run I don't think I would be considered a real runner because I would really only run for the fun of it and to enjoy the beautiful mornings or evenings, but in a way we are running a race in life.  No I'm not talking about the rat race, I'm talking about the marathon that we call life.

I don't know many people who run marathons but the faces on those runners when they finish tell me that the last few miles were the hardest.  Yes, they are happy they finished but they've had to endure a lot of pain to make it to mile 26.  I've watched races where the runners have passed out as soon as they cross the finish line because they simply don't have anything left to give.  I've seen runners fall and get back up with blood running down their legs, because it's so important that they finish and finish well.

I've never run a marathon or a 5k but I have been part of the spectators and I've seen men and women who were about to give up run a little harder when they hear the cheers of those that are watching.  Something about having people cheer you on really motivates you to do better.  Our "great cloud of witnesses" do that for us.  They are the ones that bring us water, while we are running our race.  They cheer for us when we are doing well and they encourage us when we are struggling. They are the ones that come a long side of us and help to carry us through to the finish line. 

In this marathon, we call life, we need our cloud of witnesses to cheer us on because just like an actual marathon you start to wear out as you get closer to the finish.  You start off well, keeping pace with the other runners but as you continue to run your legs start to give out on you, your body starts to turn on you and your mind starts reminding you of your weaknesses.  You start to doubt your ability to finish, your legs start to tremble underneath you and your body starts to scream.  That's when those people along the sidelines become so important.  They remind you that they have run before you and they know what is going on inside of you, but they finished, you can too.

No doubt I have had my cloud of witnesses cheering me on over the last several months.  They have brought me water, figuratively and metaphorically.  They've helped to carry me when I had no more strength and they have reminded me that finishing and finishing well is important.  I'm far from the finish line but I will finish and I will finish well because of the encouragement from my cloud of witnesses. 

I've come a long way in a short time, but sometimes you just have to decide that enough is enough and step into the light.  Sure there will be more battles to be fought, but with your "great cloud of witnesses" at the ready, the battles seem to be fewer and farther between.