Faith That Inspires Faith

I couldn’t see the top of the mountain or my friends ahead of me. My legs ached. My heart pounded. I’m a big guy, and I was carrying over 100 pounds more than everyone else. Each step up the steep trail felt like a battle. I could’ve turned back and told myself, “Good enough.” But I wanted to reach the top. I wanted the joy of finishing well.

Later, one of my friends told me, “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it. I’m proud of you.” I didn’t know it at the time, but my perseverance encouraged someone else.

That hike reminds me of life. The weight we carry isn’t always physical. It’s emotional and spiritual too. When one of my daughters was diagnosed with a lifelong illness, I felt crushed. But a friend gently asked, “Do you think this surprises God?” His faith gave me faith.

Jesus carried me through that season, one step at a time.

Hebrews 12 urges us to “lay aside every weight” and run with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. That same joy gives me strength when I’m tired or tempted to give up. When I stop to pray, even for a few moments, it lifts the burden. I can see Jesus again, and I’m reminded: we’re in this together.

Something powerful happens when we run the race side by side.

One Sunday after church, I asked a new friend how he was doing. His head dropped. “My wife has Alzheimer’s,” he said. My heart broke, I asked if I could pray with him, and there in the hallway, we gave it all to God. When we finished, his shoulders were lighter. My faith helped him find fresh hope.

That’s what it means to be part of the “great cloud of witnesses.” It’s not just heroes of the past, it’s us, today. When we trust Jesus out loud and show up for each other, we help others keep going too. We’re not running alone.

Reflection Questions:

• What weight are you carrying that Jesus is inviting you to lay down by faith today?
• Who might be watching your faith and drawing strength from it?

Prayer:

"Jesus, thank You for running before me and lifting what I can’t carry. Help me keep my eyes on You when life feels heavy. Let my faith in You become a light for someone else. And when I’m tired, surround me with people who remind me I’m not running alone. Amen."

Travis Todd
East Asia
Digital Strategies Leader