Hebrews 12, verse 1 says, therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us also lay aside every weight and sin, which cling so closely, and let us run with

endurance the race that is set before us. The race. Everybody listening to me, myself, Maddie, everybody on earth

has a race set before them. And when I read this passage, I can't help but think about a physical

race. And so this is kind of how my mind works. I've read this passage and I started to think about the Olympics.

So if you've ever seen the Olympics, you know that the track meets are these powerful

moments where all different countries and people are represented.

And I just want you to imagine that you're on Team USA Olympic track.

Wow.

And everybody in the stands watching you is a previous Team USA track meet runner.

Versus we're surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.

So you have a race to run and you're walking out on this track and you're looking up and all

these former USA track meet runners are right there going, it's your turn.

You've got the baton.

It's your race.

And what this verse says is to lay aside every weight and sin.

So imagine if you were walking out on this track, you're about to run representing something

so much greater than you.

You're representing a family, a country.

But in this illustration, something so much greater, you're representing a kingdom.

Now imagine what the onlookers would think if you walked out on this track meet

with baggy jeans, big boots on, maybe a baggy hoodie, and you're walking out there and you're

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