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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1-3 NIV

My spiritual mom, Lita Holsteen went home to be with the Lord In January of 2017. She lived her life as a loving mother and wife, a faithful Sunday School teacher, a talented piano teacher, a dedicated Good News club teacher, a prayer warrior, and a faithful servant of her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. At her memorial service I was compelled to stand and tell everyone there, what I was sure Jesus told her when she entered his presence, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little, I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master,” Matt. 25:21. She suffered from cancer and in the final months of her life she expressed doubts about having done all that God wanted her to do. I reassured her that she had been faithful, she had skillfully told hundreds of children and adults the story of the gospel, often using a flannelgraph board to illustrate the story of Jesus. She had given her time, her gifts, her finances, and her life to share the gospel to those she met and to enable others to share it around the world.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us of many patriarchs in the Old Testament who were given promises by God. Many did not see the fulfillment of his promises to them in their lifetimes. In Chapter 12 of Hebrews, the author encourages his readers to remember the goal, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart,” Heb.12:2-3. Sometimes we all, like Lita, need to be reminded that Jesus’ kingdom of heaven is here now, but also it is not fully here yet. And the race we are running to enter into it fully, is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Sometimes we need encouragement to keep running the race, to keep seeking ways to use our time, our finances, our gifts, and our abilities to tell others about Jesus and his finished work on the cross. Is there someone in your life you can share Jesus with this week?

By Grace Hunter

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