12 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, (Hebrews 12:1 CSB)

I love to watch clouds. The bigger the better. There is something fascinating in how they form and move that is mesmerizing.

Do you ever consider the great cloud of witnesses who move in and out of our lives, watching you to see how you act and react to what happens in your life? Make mention of being a Christian and watch how that number grows. People naturally want to watch our success and failure.

But we need not fear being so watched. In fact we should revel in the fact that God gives us the ability to live out our faith each and every day in front of others. I believe this is ever more true as we minister to our families and to our coworkers.

Having a strong testimony does not require that we have overcome some great adversity. Simply living a godly life is both adversity and prosperity enough. God waste nothing in our lives. He gives us every trial and every success to build a testimony of our lives, to allow the large cloud of witnesses a chance to see how we deal with the ups and downs.

Thus, the large clouds that move in our lives can take on many forms. It is in how we react to each, and what our character displays, that allows those around us to gain an understanding of just how God is working in our lives.