Hebrews 12:1-2 “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 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
The author of Hebrews briefly narrates the stories of those that have gone before us and their life of faith in Hebrews 11. And then he states in the beginning of chapter 12, Therefore – since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (those that lived a life of faith as just mentioned) – let us push forward in this race of life and run with perseverance. Perseverance is what we need to keep us going when things get tough, life gets hard and we want to give up.
One of life’s greatest blessings has always been for me to have conversations with those that are older and wiser, those that have gone before me. I have so many fond memories as a child when we would take our annual trip with the senior adults to Galveston each year and spend time with so many amazing women. I just loved listening to their stories. There is so much wisdom to be had from those that have already been in your shoes whether they are five years or eighty years older. There is so much faith to hear about through all that God has brought them through.
I was able to have such a conversation a few weeks ago. Our church organist, Floranell, had been sick and been out for several weeks. She was sitting up on the stage waiting for the service to start so I went to inquire of how she was doing. That question led to a wonderful conversation about life, family, children and her husband. One of the things I walked away from that day was when she was telling me about all these particular things that she did for her husband every day just because he liked them done that way. She said that her children often asked her why she had done it that way all these years, and she said, because that is the way he likes it. As a wife she loved him, and therefore wanted to do what pleased him. What an incredible testimony of what being a faithful wife really means over so many years of marriage as she had shared with her husband.
Shortly after that conversation, she continued to worsen and today I found out that she may be very close to exchanging her earthly residence to a heavenly one. I am grieved and upset but know there is great joy because of what awaits her. She has lived such an incredibly faithful life. She has been faithful to her husband. She has been faithful to her children. She has taught many children how to play the piano so that they are now able to serve the Lord in that way. And she has faithfully served her church as the church organist. What an incredible legacy she has lived. I am so thankful for her sweet testimony that she provided to me that day. She may never know the impact that she had on me that day, but I know that it will forever impact my life. I am so thankful for women who live such an example of biblical womanhood and service to their husbands for others to see. I am thankful for those who live a life of faith that gives me the perseverance to keep on. Floranell – thank you for your life – and thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord.
Lord I pray that I will also live a life that is faithful to you; that will lead others to you by example; that will give others perseverance. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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