I have been told that there are three different kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. What type of person are you?

I have to be honest that I often watch things happen, but Jesus was someone who made things happen! He definitely stood out from the crowds, who followed him everywhere. I can imagine myself in that crowd of people, listening to what Jesus had to say, watching him perform miracles and puzzling over who he was, especially after watching him die on the cross (if I would have been brave enough to attend a crucifixion!).

So many people in the crowds who followed him witnessed what Jesus did and said during his lifetime! His story left an indelible mark on so many people’s lives and his words and actions still resound in the hearts and minds of people today!

I speak from experience when I say that it is not easy to step out from the “crowd”. I hesitate to do or say something that might be taken the wrong way by others around me. It often seems safer to be in the crowd!

But as a Christian, staying in the safety of the crowd is not an option. The Bible says that I am in a race, and just as crowds of people watch those who run in a race, perhaps there is a heavenly realm of angels and those saints who have gone before me, who are waiting to see how I do. They have already run their race, so they are part of a “cloud” (of witnesses) that I will join someday, to watch others who come after me run the race and cheer them on!

In this New Year, perhaps I need to step out of my comfort zone and get back in the race. Will you join me? The good news is that none of us run alone; there are others who are also refusing to do nothing, or stand and watch, criticizing those who are doing something! Would you rather be surrounded by a “crowd” or a “cloud”?

Jesus, you are my example as someone who did not stay in the safety of the crowd, but chose to do something that was daunting, but needed to be done. Please help me to resist the urge to stay silent or do nothing today. Amen.

Throughout this Day: Ask God to show you how to step back into the race that he has set up for you, whether you need to step out and do something that you have never done before, or speak up, even if you are afraid of what others will think of you. Remember that there are those who have gone before you that surround you like a cloud who have chosen to step out of the safety of the crowd!



Tags: Perseverance Hebrews 12
Photo Credit: Braden Collum on Unsplash