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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
Hebrews 12:1
Reflect
Every time we reach this time of the year, my mind wanders to the Summer Olympics (even though we’re a few years away from the next Olympics). I’m reminded of the time I attended a session at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. My parents had a spare ticket and invited me to come with them, and I’m so grateful that they did. That day brought a host of memories that have lasted the 25 years since then, and I’m sure they’ll be with me for the rest of my life.
That day, we saw a lot of events, including some medal events like the hammer throw and the long jump. But the star attraction was famed sprinter Michael Johnson, who was running in the 400-meter semifinals. When he ran, the stadium erupted in cheers not only because he was an American, but because he was a superb runner.
Our little section, which was in the shadow of the Olympics, had a special cheering section of its own. There was a short Jamaican man who was dressed in green and yellow and who had a flag from his country. Whenever the announcer mentioned a Jamaican athlete in an event, he stood up and proudly cheered for his fellow countryman. After a couple of times, a few people around him (who weren’t from Jamaica) joined him in the cheers. By the end of the day, we were all cheering with him for the Jamaican athletes.
It’s amazing the effect that cheering has for an athlete on the field of competition. I saw it that day, but it became real for me about 10 years later. My mother had breast cancer, and in support of her I signed up to walk in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day in Atlanta. If you’re not familiar with that event, it involves walking 20 miles a day from Friday through Sunday. The first two nights, we ended up at a camp where we stayed in tents. On the third day, we arrived at Piedmont Park for the closing ceremony. After all of the walkers had arrived, we were lined up and we walked with our various teams into the park. Lining our path were all of the staff who had helped us throughout the weekend, from those who prepared our meals to those who bandaged the blisters on our feet. And when we reached the park, we were greeted by thunderous applause. Thousands of friends and family members were lined around the park to cheer our efforts. To this day, the thought of that moment brings tears to my eyes, especially knowing that somewhere in there was my mother. (Today’s photos are from that ceremony.)
Paul loves the image of a race as a comparison to the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he reminds us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” And the writer of Hebrews reminds us that we’re not running that race alone. He says that, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1) In other words, forget the little stuff and focus on the prize. Cast aside the things that slow us down so that we can focus on finishing the race. And remember that saints, those here and in the next life, are cheering for us to stay the course and finish our lifelong marathon.
When life has you weary and feeling like you can’t take another step, remember the prize that awaits you – a life in glory with our Lord. And remember also that you’re not running this race alone. Jesus is with you each step of the way, and the cloud of witnesses is erupting in thunderous applause as you stride toward the Lord’s finish line.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
