A Cloud of Witnesses

Lois recently came across an old college friend, Joanne Huddleson, from Biola University, and learned of a great work God is doing in her family's life. It's not what you expect to hear the first time you come in contact with an old friend, that her husband, who had been healthy all his life, suddenly discovered that he had pancreatic cancer, and that it had aggressively taken over a once strong body and that his days are numbered. It's not what you envision sharing when you want to catch up with an old friend. And yet, there it is - the reality of life and the suffering that accompanies it. What they've shared with us is a powerful encouragement of not only God's love for us (direct), but the gift of each other that he has given us (indirect).

We are all inextricably connected through the bonds of Christian family. And the fact is, we really do need each other. Those of us who belong to each other should be ready to give love to each other, "they shall know we are Christians by our love." It's our identity. God has given us gifts for the benefit of each other (see Romans 12:10-16). Scripture also calls it being part of the "great cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 12:1-3):

1 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


We spend much of our lives believing at some level that we can do life on our own. Our pride makes it hard to admit we need each other. But then life's experiences quickly put us in a position where God gives us the opportunity to receive from others, if we're willing. We somehow don't realize we're missing out on the blessing God has for us through others.

Heb. 12:1 provides a picture from the first century we can relate to. Picture several contestants running a race in a stadium (Ex. Olympics). They're surrounded by thousands cheering for them as they run hard and strain for the finish line. Those in the race are not running for themselves, they're running to bring glory to someone else. Their desire is to run well, to finish the race having given their best. They run the race, straining for the finish line because they want to do what they were created for and trained for. We, too, run the race of life with our eyes fixed on the finish line - and glorify the One we run for.

Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us of the encouragement that is available to us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We're reminded that we're not in this race alone - the "cloud of witnesses" is with us. There is love and strength available to us as we run. Mark Schultz, Christian song writer/performer, has written a song, "Cloud of Witnesses," that is a touching portrayal of the committed love we should be giving and receiving as members of God's family. Read it and then listen to to a short testimony (7 minutes) by Scott Huddleson that will help you to see more clearly what God wants to do for us and through us as we run the race and as we are part of the "cloud of witnesses." May God use this to increase our love for each other and to develop interdependent relationships as members of the Body of Christ.

Scott's Testimony - The Cloud of Witnesses