Cloud of Witnesses

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by

so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside

every weight, and the sin which so easily

ensnares us, and let us run with endurance

the race that is set before us, looking unto

Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

     Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

The Bible doesn’t hide the flaws of the men and women who are depicted in Scripture.  But it can be a bit intimidating to read about the great faith they demonstrated in challenging circumstances.  They and their stories seem larger than life.  Yet it was in those very circumstances that God showed Himself strong.  So many people in recent times are part of that great “cloud of witnesses” and demonstrate that He works like that today as well.

One such example is Joni Eareckson Tada.  She became a quadriplegic as the result of a diving accident when she was a teen.  It was a crisis of faith and she understandably asked a lot of hard questions of God.  But He brought her through it and her quadriplegia has become a wonderful platform to glorify God. He has used her in a mighty way to minister to others with disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as believers in general.  In addition, she is an accomplished artist and God has given her a beautiful voice.

When we experience a tragedy, when something happens that bursts our dreams and dashes our hopes, it’s normal to ask the “why” questions of God. But if we can get past that and ask Him “what” and “how” instead (i.e., what He wants us to learn from it and how He wants to use it), we might be amazed to find that God intends to use these difficult circumstances for His great purposes if we let Him.  God works best in our weaknesses, so surrender the circumstances to Him.  He is the author and finisher of our faith, so trust and obey Him. We can run with endurance this race with His strength and by His power.