Hello
For those who don’t know, I’m a proud alumni of St Jago High School in Jamaica. One of my earliest pre-memories of my alma mater is our school song. There are amusing segments in both the lyrics and the music which tickled our young, rather immature minds.
Embedded in the lyrics however, is that strong sense of community; particularly in the PSA (although the PTA were right behind/beside them), who offered support in tangible and intangible ways through the years. Moreover, the reputations of many distinguished persons who are/were alumni, gave us the pride, confidence and motivation to press on for our individual and collective honor. And that’s what today’s Holy Nougat speaks to – the merit of community. Enjoy
“Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside and every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”. Hebrews 12:1 ASV
So here we are, the baton has been passed. We may be overwhelmed by the magnitude of The Who’s Who who have gone before us (especially if we are called to ministry which was led by a spiritual Great prior to us); but one thing is certain – it’s OUR race now. Thus, we recognize that we’re part of something greater than our best selves while looking to God to see us through. And, we recognize that as great as the Greats were, their season is done. We gotta run this race for ourselves, because no one else can run it like we can in our shoes.
So we look at the strategies of the crowd of witnesses; and we press on, ensuring that we learn from their efforts. We examine the failures of the crowd; yet we press on, recognizing that God’s grace brought them through. We press on past doubt, delay, disappointment, disaster and distraction. We press on knowing that we also may be included in someone’s Who’s Who! We press on with the cheering of the crowd providing impetus when we might be weary.
And, if we’ve been on the journey prior and have become part of that noble crowd of witnesses; let us become the best encouragers we can be. Someone else’s faith may depend on our attitude. Press diligently, knowing that until we cross over into Glory; we’re both current and past in this race to Glory! Press, remembering that patience makes for better encouragement than critical feedback! Press patiently my dears; press on!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
