Home Run

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

            It was the last inning. The teams were tied and our team desperately needed a homerun to win the game. But the odds were stacked against us. Benjamin was up to bat. I half expected to see his teammates’ shoulders slump as he sauntered towards the batter’s box. After all he hadn’t hit a single ball yet. Even I was groaning inside. There was no way he was going to help the team score.

            To my surprise, the parents in the bleachers began to clap and cheer him on. “Come on, Benjamin, you can do it. Keep your eyes on the ball.” His teammates and coaches joined the chant. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing. Despite his poor track record, everyone was pulling for him.

With the crowd’s cheers ringing in his ears, Benjamin raised his bat over his shoulder and locked eyes on the pitcher. With a loud whack, the bat slammed the ball and sent it flying. The crowd went wild. You would have thought Babe Ruth had just scored as parents, kids, and coaches erupted in loud cheers and thunderous applause. Eyes brimming with tears, I stood with the crowd and clapped for my son who had just hit a home-run. But it was the kids, the coaches, and the parents pulling for him that gave me the greatest thrill that day.

Hebrews 12:1 reminds believers that we also have a crowd of witnesses surrounding us. We aren’t alone in this race. In the sidelines, saints are pulling for us. Saints we know from the Bible, such as Abraham, Moses, and Joshua along with loved-ones who have gone before us; mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, children, friends.

We may not see them or hear them, but they are watching nonetheless. And in the midst of them, Jesus is cheering us on, saying, “Come on, (insert your name), you can do it. Do not grow weary or lose heart. Just keep your eyes on Me and press on.”

Who’s in your corner today? Your loving Heavenly Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit? Jacob, Joseph, Gideon, David, Samuel? Friends, family, loved ones who are now in the presence of Jesus? They are all pulling for you. So keep your head up and your eyes fixed upon Jesus. There’s a home-run just waiting for you.