A Great Cloud of Witnesses

(Tuesday morning challenge to XMC students 4/12/11 .)

Have you ever played a sport? Or have you ever participated in a music or dance competition? What I like most about public competitions and performances are the people in the stands that watch you. There is something special about a friend or relative that cheers for you, regardless if you win or lose.

“Great game out there!” or “ It’s okay, we’ll get them next time”.

As Christians, it’s exciting, yet sometimes unnerving to know that we are always being watched. Especially in this season of your life, as young men and women of God, who have laid down a year of your life to know God and make Him known, people are watching to see how you will finish “this race”.

One group that watches you are those who were part of that crowd that you hung out with before you were saved. The ones that know who you were – who you use to be. They think that what you’re doing is crazy. “Why are you wasting your time? What are you getting out of all of this? Shouldn’t you be in college?” These spectators are watching with curious eyes, waiting to see what has changed in you. They are on the sidelines asking, “Is it real? Is it worth it?” Let your life show them IT IS WORTH IT BECAUSE IT IS REAL!

Another group watching are those who are serving the Lord but not living in the fullness He has for them. Those who are afraid to step out and pursue everything God has for them. They are watching and waiting. Anticipating. To see what your life of complete abandonment and surrender will produce. These people are all around us. In church, the youth group, in your families. They are on the sidelines asking, “Is there really more?” Inspire them; let your life show them THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!

Another group watching us is found in Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

I love the way the word “endurance” is used here. Do you know what endurance means here? It is the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear. Perseverance. Patience. Determination.

FINISH IT! DON’T STOP! PUSH PAST THE PAIN! ENDURE THE RACE SET BEFORE YOU!

We are competing in a race and are being watched by many types of people. There is a great cloud of witnesses who have finished this race, and are saying to you, “ENDURE! ENDURE! You can do this!” Inspire them; let your life show them that YOU CAN ENDURE!

And as for the others that watch you – remember -

ENDURE so they know it’s worth it because it is real!

And ENDURE so they know there is more!

The Flavor of Discipleship

Jesus sure set the bar high!

I mean have you read the “Sermon on the Mount”?!

Blessed are the peacemakers, merciful, mourners, poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart… Okay, and even if you have some of these down, He doesn’t stop there! He goes on to say that as the salt of the earth we should bless those that insult us, lie about us, and speak evil against us.

Now, I have lived in South Louisiana just about all my life, and if there is one thing I know… it’s seasoning. I like food with flavor. I hate tasteless food!

I believe what Jesus is really talking about is the flavor of true Discipleship. Let me ask you a question… Are you leaving a bad, or bland taste in the mouth of the world around you?

Discipleship will demand everything of you. It is a life that has been surrendered to God; and then, God, by His power, will allow you to live bigger than you ever could on your own.

In our own power we will never be able to live this kind of life. However, through daily surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, we can and we must bring flavor to those around us.

We are the salt that will bring flavor back to the broken lives that have been stripped of the Glory (flavor or image) God intended for them. We are the spice, flavored by a committed life of discipleship that will right wrongs; bind up the broken hearted, and set the captive free (Christ through us).