“Therefore, since we are surrounded with such a great cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” – Hebrews 12:1-3
Ever felt so down you couldn’t look up? It may have been something you experienced in your life, or there may be challenges that stand in your way. So how do you get up when you are so down? Look up and pray! And also learn from the past.
In the book of Hebrews, the writer is exhorting Christians to stay true to their new found religious way of life. But these Christians were living in difficult times. They were no longer accepted by their Jewish ancestors, and the Roman authorities had no use for them. They were persecuted both socially and physically, and some had died for their faith. In short, the new Christians were trying to figure out where they fit into society and everyday life. It’s the same with us, so often we try to figure everything out on our own. We try to fix things ourselves. And finally, we do last what we should have done first – we pray.
The easy thing to do was to fall back into the Jewish culture and the old way of life. The writer of Hebrews could have given them explanations of how to be strong, but he did one better, he gave them examples from the past. The writer of Hebrews has given these new Christians a “great cloud of witnesses”. Let’s call them mentors, accountability partners. Why? Because there was a lot to be learned from these mentors. The writer knows there are a lot of things in life you can’t learn on your own. You learn them from the community of believers that has gone before you. The writer knew that these mentors were important to this newfound Christian community.
We always grow faster and stronger with living, breathing examples who can model for us what a true disciple of Christ life looks like. Explanations are fine, but we learn more from real life examples. Who are your models for following Christ? Who are you watching and learning from? Here’s a tougher question: Are you an example for anyone else? You may be surprised that unknowingly you are.
A few years back there was a common phrase to live by: “WWJD – What would Jesus do?” In today’s culture, we need to know in our hearts how to relate to our kids as Jesus would, how to truly love our spouse and make a marriage last as Jesus would, how to run a business with integrity as Jesus would, and how to handle conflict in the way Jesus would. These are lessons many times we learn by watching others. Ask yourself this: “What’s been the greatest positive influence on my life?” It probably was not a sermon, a seminar, an e-mail or a small group lesson. More likely it was somebody who shaped your life through a personal relationship.
Rick Warren says “…it’s wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.” Our lives are just too short to learn everything by personal experience. And many painful experiences can be avoided if we learn from mentors in our church family. I can testify to this. Write down the names of people in your church and small group that you’d like to learn from. Then identify what you’d specifically like to learn from them. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect to be a model or mentor.
To grow spiritually, you must also be willing to be a model or mentor to others. That may scare you but all it takes is being one step ahead. People don’t expect you to be perfect – they already know you aren’t. What they want you to be is honest! So let them see your struggles and tell of how you grew from them. Don’t just tell them your successes. We usually can grow as much from others’ weaknesses as we do from their strengths.
Somebody said if you look behind you, you'll be defeated. If you look ahead of you, you'll be distressed. If you look around you, you'll be discouraged. But if you look above you, you will be determined. The next time you're down or discouraged, let me give you the best piece of advice that you could ever hear: Run to God! Pray, and find the “great cloud of witnesses” he has placed around you. Now, how simple is that? Don't make prayer and a mentor your last chance… make it your first choice!
In Christ,
Jerry McGuire
