Surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses

Have you felt that the things happening to you are unfair? Then you are not alone. But from where can we get the strength to move on?

Verse 1 from Hebrews 12 guides us:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

What a profound statement.

I felt the beauty of this verse when I met my grandpa in the beautiful Sencottai, a place known for its lovely weather. It is also the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He has now crossed 85 and is living with his lovely daughter, who is alone after losing her dear husband.

After spending my day with the family, experiencing the bond they have for each other and the love they showered on me, I asked my grandpa to pray for me. He quietly said the following words, as gently as a person who had braved life's storms.

He said, "Suffering will come into our lives. But when someone is going through suffering, will they accept it when we say it is for good? It will not make sense to them."

He continued, "See, I have lost my two sons and a son-in-law. You losing your dad was unexpected. It was sudden. Did we ever expect things like that would happen? Yes, life is hard. When Joseph was going through all his suffering and unfairness, was it easy for him to believe that God had a purpose? But we know the ending. So whenever something bad happens to you, keep in mind that something good is there even in the suffering."

I have not felt so much peace as I did after I had that conversation with him. I thought, if my grandpa can find peace and strength to move on after the losses he has faced in life, then God would make it possible for me too.

I lost my dear little Moriah baby when she or he was just 17 weeks in my womb, whom we conceived after nine years. I understood that when God strengthened my grandpa's weary heart, He would strengthen mine too.

Hey friend, if you are going through the unfair treatment of life, if you are facing losses that you are not able to come to terms with, look at the people around us—the great cloud of witnesses. God helped them move forward. Even after so many heartbreaking losses, they are still running the race that is set before them. They are running with perseverance.

Dear God, thank You for surrounding us with such a great cloud of witnesses. May our hearts be strengthened, healed, comforted, and able to move on and run the race that is set before us with Your help. Be with us, Lord. You have been the hope of our ancestors, and You are our hope. In faith, I say You will be the hope of my generations after generations.

Build us again, Lord. Heal and mend what is broken.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.