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Crowd Encouragement

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Heb 12:1, NLT).

I am always inspired to go after a challenge when I realize others have gone before me. It need not be high-risk adventures like walking through a long, dark, narrow tunnel, bungee jumping in a remote location, or paragliding over a deep gorge. It could be any mundane aspects of life, where bold, confident action is involved.

Christian life is an adventure. It is a journey to the invisible, eternity or our life with God that we never been to through unfamiliar territories. In this journey every step is stimulated by faith in Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

But still, when tempted to give up hope and confidence comes from the realization that we are not alone but there are others who have already completed this race successfully. This verse is the climax of the long list of heroes of faith that begins in the previous chapter (Chapter 11). These superheroes of faith crossed the finish line, and they await our arrival as we are still on our way. This crowd of witnesses motivates us in our Christian race. If they could do it, then we can do it too.

“O, Lord, give me the same strength that you gave to those who went ahead of me to complete their race despite discouragement, weakness, and doubt. Let me run this race with the strength you give me."

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