A READING FROM HEBREWS
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God
MESSAGE IN A PARAGRAPH OR TWO
When this lesson comes up, I think about all the people in my life, living and dead, who have influenced my faith. There are even some people with whom I had only a brief encounter.
Some of those people include my high school basketball coach, my pastor during high school, my father and mother, and a current member of our synod staff. Who are among the multitude of witnesses who have influenced your faith?