Cheering Us On

International ministry can sometimes beat you down. You may be dealing with language challenges, cultural challenges, homesickness challenges, denominational challenges, and now - more than ever - financial challenges. You may feel unappreciated and all alone as you minister.

But you're not all alone.

You've got a huge crowd cheering you on as you run the race marked out for you.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) tells us that "we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ...." The Message Version of Hebrews 12:1 talks about "all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on ...." We've got a lot of saints in heaven looking down and cheering loud at us as we take on the challenges of international ministry.

I've always been a sports fan, and I've attended the World Series, the World Cup, the Summer Olympics, and boxing title fights. I've been part of a crowd of 80,000 people cheering on an Olympic athlete as he wins a gold medal. There is nothing like it! The moment is beyond electric! And that's what we have going for us, too, in international ministry. Billions of saints in heaven are cheering us on as we fight the good fight and bring people to the feet of Jesus Christ! Don't let the challenges of international minstry get you down! The heavenly crowd is cheering you on! Run the race! Go for the gold! The saints are on their feet, and they're cheering - and they're cheering for you!