If you find yourself growing tired right now. Pouring yourself out for those around you, when perhaps they don’t even notice. Giving, serving and loving without regard to what you get back. Perhaps discouraged because you’re the one who makes the phone calls, or initiates the new friendships. The life of Christ is living by faith and not by sight and even the best hit moments where they are barely holding on to the faith. Don’t lose heart, There is a way to pray with your imagination that we are told will help so we “will not grow weary and lose heart”.

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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. —Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

There are two images given in these few verses and they both surround the olympic Games. First, we are encouraged to imagine the crowd. There is a great cheering section for you as you run this race.

When I graduated from college, I had a lot of family present. I still remember to this day the sound they made when the dean called my name. My aunts and my sister were ridiculous in their shouts and cheers, they got everyone else in the family going as well and the dean had ask the “Murphy” family to please quiet down so he could keep announcing names.

That one simple act has helped me through some hard days. I had dropped out of University to enroll in Bible College and felt I had given up everything to pursue Christ. That one moment filled my cup. It reminds me no matter how hard it gets, there are people cheering for me. It was a great day, but no matter how great that day was, it does not hold a candle to the crowd in heaven cheering. All who have run the race of faith before us. Faithful family members and heroes of the faith together are looking on us from their stands in heaven cheering. Do you hear them?

What is discouraging you today?

Can you think of any faithful Christians in your life who have passed away? Write any name. Perhaps even someone you knew who prayed for you before you came to faith.

Imagine them and a crowd with them surrounding you as they call your name over the loud speaker. Cheering, standing, being obnoxious because they are proud of you, they love you and want to see you cross the finish line.

Write down what you see and feel

That is not the only image, the main image the write of Hebrews appeals to is Jesus himself. There might be a crowd, but the crowd is not what the athlete focuses on to win a race. They focus on the finish line. We are encouraged to look to Jesus, who paved the path we are on. Who endured persecution and opposition. Who was nailed to a cross because of his love for us and somehow held joy in his heart at the same time. That is who we are to look to when we’re about to lose heart.

Consider what the life of Christ has done to change this world. History bends to Jesus, our calendars point back to his birth because all things were changed in his name. Consider how his life inspires Billions of Christians today and Billions who have gone before us.

This morning take a moment to imagine yourself in a race, tired and worn out. What are you carrying right now that is producing the most burden in your race right now? Name it.

Now picture Jesus with you, ahead of you. Maybe even right in front of you. Will you take a moment and ask Jesus to take the burden holding you back today from running the race marked out of you?

Now ask Jesus, what do you want to give me in return to encourage me to keep running?

Write it down.

“Lord Jesus, Son of God. You have freed me, and set me free through your sacrifice on the cross. You have given me the means to run. Thank you for the encouragement today. Keep moving, keep speaking, keep showing up. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”