Our Very Own Cheering Section

Everybody likes to have someone cheering them on. Whether it is the star quarterback under the lights of friday night or the young adult graduating from college. Grandparents, parents, children; we all ejoy a cheering section. It is no different for us in the church. The Bible says in Hebrews 12 that we are running a race and that we are to run it with patience. This is not a sprint, but a marathon. We must pace ourselves and at times "press toward the mark of prize set before us." When we are in the heat of the run and our body is weak and in pain, we draw from the crowd getting behind us. We need those cheers of encouragment. We need to hear the clapping of hands and the shouts from the stands. Hebrews 12:1 says that we have that in those who have gone on before us. It says that we have a great number of witnesses around us. There is Abraham and Isaac. There is Moses, Aaron, David, Samuel, Daniel, Elijah, and so forth. They are cheering us on from the stands of Heaven. They have gone through the tough stages of life and have overcome by their faith in God. They have become our examples, and if they can do it, then so can we. "For I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." However, we are not just surrounded by the heros of the O.T. We are also surrounded by our family and friends who have already passed on. We are surrounded by grandparents, parents, and close friends. They have endured until the end and have been saved. You may feel today like giving in and throwing in the towel. Please do not. Press Forward. Listen closely. Who is that cheering you on today? You have a reward in Christ and if you give up now your labor would have been in vain. Keep that cross on your shoulders and keep pushing on. Heaven is just in sight. God bless