Cloud of Witnesses

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses….”   Hebrews 12:1

This past week, a dear relative who was part of my foundation of faith went to heaven and joined the great cloud of witnesses.  In the past months, I had visited Jane whenever I was in my hometown.  In one of my last visits with her, Jane and I talked about those we knew who were in heaven.  We shared memories of those people who had made an impact and imprint upon our lives.  Jane’s face radiated as she began to name the people she would soon see again.

As a believer, Jesus promises the disciples and us that he goes to prepare a place for us – “In my Father’s house are many rooms….I am going to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:2 (RSV)  We have a room in Heaven waiting for us.  Those whom I have loved and who have died in the faith already have received their room in Heaven.

This gives me hope and encouragement when a loved one dies; they cross over from this life into the next – into Heaven.  They see Jesus face to face and are healed and made perfect.  Heaven has no pain, suffering or sorrow.

The cloud of witnesses embraces those who have died and now enter Heaven. What a great reunion that will be.  This gives me hope.  I will again see my loved ones someday – my husband, my parents, grandparents, friends, family, and all those loved by God.  I will be welcomed into Heaven.

For now, though, I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.  To me this means the spirit and the imprint of the faith of those who made a difference in my life is always surrounding me.  Their lives have been a witness to me and have helped me grow in my faith and into the person God is creating me to be.

When I begin to long for those I love, I start naming people I know in Heaven.  Wow, there are a lot of wonderful people I love in Heaven.  I miss them and my heart aches for them, but I also rejoice that God put them on my path of life.  They made a difference and showed me Jesus in the way they lived and loved.

Some days, I just look up and sense the spiritual presence of people in Heaven.  Especially when I am in my home church or churches I have served as pastor, I look up and remember those who came before me and blazed a path of love and service.

So in these past weeks as I have prayed for Jane, I have recognized the cloud of witnesses that have surrounded her and were waiting for her when she crossed over into Heaven.  Today, I rejoice that Jane has joined the cloud of witnesses and her spirit of love and encouragement surrounds me.

In our grief and as we miss our loved ones, be aware of their presence around us.  Their love is a witness and their presence within our heart and spirit will never leave us.  I trust in the promises of Jesus.  There is a place for me and for you.  Our loved ones are with Jesus and surround us with love, encouragement and hope.