1638) I played basketball for many years in my youth and I found there was one thing that played with my head more than any other and that was silence. When the gym grew silent (for whatever the reason), I found playing the game more difficult.

Similarly, when there is no one who is cheering you on in life, it becomes close to impossible. We need encouragement and cheerleaders. After all, this is the message of the author of Hebrews 12:1. He spent the preceding chapter telling us of those of faith who have come before us and now, in verse 1, he tells us we have a cloud of witnesses to cheer us on and it is this which helps us run with endurance the race God has given us.

We weren’t designed to be alone, so we should prioritize making and nurturing relationships.