Nougat 13

How different is the quality of our output when we know others are watching? And how does it affect us emotionally? Something to chew on in Today’s Holy Nougat

“Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also get rid of every weight and entangling sin. Let us run with endurance the race set before us,”

Hebrews 12:1 TLV

The thing is, we are assured that we are not alone in our race through Life. No one else can run it for us; but we are not alone. For me, this is consoling as I choose to interpret the cloud of witnesses as my own personal cheerleaders. I figure that having run the same race and finished it; and secure in their status with Christ; the witnesses are there to cheer me on. (And it stands to reason, if they cheer me on, they do it for all of us).

So, holding my theory as fact, how then do we feel knowing that our cheerleaders are watching? Does it pressure us negatively; as we start worrying about whether we are as good as they were? Are we revived, encouraged by the fact that we have folks who are dedicated to our success? Are we neither here nor there as Christ is the only One for Whom we run?

I don’t know that there’s a single right answer but certainly the knowledge that others have run and won … gives us the assurance, should we reed it, that it is doable and we are not alone. Additionally, as witnesses, they are duty bound to help us. We can choose to hear the testimony they offer.

This can be further expanded to conclude that this cloud of witnesses may still be alive. They are here amongst us, assigned to us for the sole purpose of encouraging us on our journey. Moreover, the converse is also implied – that we, each of us could conceivably be part of the witnesses. If God calls on us to bear witness to our journey; what would our response be?

Run, my siblings in Faith! Run confidently, leaving every burden, fear, frustration behind. Run, with the knowledge that others have done it. Run as though our lives depend on it – for it does (kind of). Run with all the endurance we’ve inherited from Christ as we run towards the mark of our higher calling.

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May all we seek be found in Christ