“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…(Heb. 12:1).”
The author here, presumably Paul, reminds these early Christians of the heroes of their faith, men and women who had endured persecution, suffering, and even death, because of their beliefs. They were witnesses who had run their own races and were there to encourage and give an example to follow. Most of us have had those that we have looked up to, who have been an example for us and encouraged us in our faith development—parents, Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders, and others. Most likely, none of them have died for what they stood for, but their dedication to their faith and their witness has influenced us in some way. The witnesses Paul speaks of had paid dearly for practicing their faith. We often speak of having a witness, but seldom do we think it will cost us in the same way. Yet, we are called to be witnesses (Matt. 18:18-20). And, sometimes we are called to bear witness in the midst of difficult situations. One of my favorite witnesses was Cecil.
The author here, presumably Paul, reminds these early Christians of the heroes of their faith, men and women who had endured persecution, suffering, and even death, because of their beliefs. They were witnesses who had run their own races and were there to encourage and give an example to follow. Most of us have had those that we have looked up to, who have been an example for us and encouraged us in our faith development—parents, Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders, and others. Most likely, none of them have died for what they stood for, but their dedication to their faith and their witness has influenced us in some way. The witnesses Paul speaks of had paid dearly for practicing their faith. We often speak of having a witness, but seldom do we think it will cost us in the same way. Yet, we are called to be witnesses (Matt. 18:18-20). And, sometimes we are called to bear witness in the midst of difficult situations. One of my favorite witnesses was Cecil.
Cecil was in her late 80s when I met her in a nursing home and she had been there awhile. Cecil had cancer and because of the chemotherapy, her bones had become brittle. One day, she fell in her own home and broke her neck and became paralyzed from the neck down. Cecil and I met every week for almost a year after that before she died. She often wondered why God would allow her to continue to live when it seemed she had so little to offer. Cecil was not feeling sorry for herself, but wanted to feel useful. All of her adult life, she had been a faithful witness, a Sunday School teacher, a mentor to younger women, had written books and poetry, and served the Lord in many other ways, and now she felt useless.
My encouragement to Cecil was that if the Lord chose for her to remain in her situation and in her condition, He had a plan to use her in some way. I encouraged her to take stock of what she had left that God could use, and to trust that what she had was enough. What Cecil still had was an audience. Cecil had more visitors than any other resident of that nursing home. I encouraged Cecil to use her ears to listen, her mind to consider, her mouth to speak and counsel and to encourage others. In other words, I encouraged her to continue to witness. Even her smile could be a witness to the ones that waited on her and an encouragement to them, that one could have joy no matter the circumstances.
What keeps you from being a witness? Maybe it is something tangible, like the physical disability that Cecil had to endure; maybe it is something not so visible, like a fear or a perception that we aren’t worthy to serve in God’s kingdom. Maybe it is a doubt that God is able to work through you. Paul wrote to the Romans, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).” God can use us no matter our circumstances. We just need to make ourselves available.
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