Cloud of Witnesses

Distractions! Why am I so distracted! Rabbit trails abound and temptations all around. Is it tricks of our enemy? Are distant memories making query? No! The reasons don’t matter. It’s all just flattery, vanity, or the plowing of indignities. No! None of these thoughts matter. Why? Why! What?  What steers you away? What makes you want to play? Play around with a thought, and it’ll hit you when the line is taut. Is the enemy fishing or is it your line out? We lay traps for our soul; though a bird in the wild avoids the obvious trap, but we walk right in. We’re the exception, right? We get away with it, right?

Can we play with sin, though only deep within? It’s only a seed, then a sapling, and then a mighty oak; perhaps it’s gone too far? What will the result be? Look down the road and see. The years will wrap ‘round your soul. Our choices pull inside; they wrap our lives and then intertwine. What strangles me may strengthen you. But, refuse to act and then you lose.

We must daily die to self. But what does that mean? Do I avoid a treat, maybe something sweet? Or, do I ignore all “self” impulse and do diligence to discipline and refuse all “fun”? Do I pluck out my eyes and cut off my hands? I’m not implying a tolerance of sin, but rather a different approach than striving within. I’d rather just walk in the Spirit and avoid all this mess. I’ll team up with Jesus. He’ll be my lead and then He’ll help me pick up my cross. His yoke is easy? Right? ! Yes, there’s a battle raging on, but we know our victor and He’s already won. And soon we’ll join Him! We can almost see the finish line. We can almost see our King! A great cloud of witnesses is cheering us on. My grandparents are in the crowd. My Pastor’s are screaming loud! Our homecomings soon, it may be morning, night, or noon.

 “We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. ² Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. ³ Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.”  Hebrews 12:1-3 NCV