Then, chapter 12 begins by telling us we have this great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, yet fix our eyes on Jesus! Only Jesus gives us the heart to continue.

            Have you ever grown weary, yet God's Spirit stirs within you, and again your passion and calling seems to bubble forth. You are renewed. Jesus knows us because He is the author of our faith. He carved the faith and knows exactly how to give it life in our individual hearts.

He is the finest example, possible of perfecting faith, of bringing faith to its finest end result. He lives to reproduce this in our lives and ministries. 

By now you may be thinking, well, how wonderful! She doesn't have a clue about Mrs. So-in-so in my church. She makes life unbearable. Or, She has no idea of my pain, disappointment, or difficulty, or _____________ [you fill in the blank].

Oh my sweet friend, woman who serves alongside her husband in ministry, I really do know whereof I speak. There were times when I longed for a woman to lend me a hand, one who walked the path ahead of me, who would tell me things would be better. I hoped for some pattern that seemed possible for me. I yearned for a hero or heroine who bravely dared to trust God and continue walking in obedience.

What I learned was that Jesus really could be that friend in my life. I remember the day when I said aloud, "Well, Jesus never felt abandoned or forsaken." And almost immediately the Spirit reminded me of His very words, spoken on the cross. Recognizing that He suffered in a similar way initiated healing in my heart. No, the pain never disappeared, but with His help it became bearable.

The long-haul of life requires endurance, and that is exactly what Hebrews 12:2 says, "...he endured". He experienced pain and hardship. He exerted Himself as he learned to continue in spite of things that were unacceptable and/or disagreeable. Endure means to survive. We all face times and situations that generate fear, making us question our ability to survive. But I want you to know: He DID endure. He DID survive, and He despised the shame of those instruments of hardship. The very word endure indicates there was great difficulty and pain to overcome.

It might be interesting to make a spread-sheet comparison of things we face and endure and compare it with what Jesus endured. It might surprise you to discover the similarities. Scripture says He was made like man/us in all things, that we have a merciful and faithful advocate/priest able to come to our aid, Hebrews 2:17-18. It is no happenstance that we experience similar life challenges.

My prayer for you today is that you will see the love of God, manifest in some tangible manner to communicate He knows your name... He knows where you live... He knows your greatest need... May He bless you with His rest, found right in the midst of ministry and service.  Meet me in the forum and let's make that spread sheet or  comment in the devotionals!  Praying for you!