My high school buddy, JD, just started a weight loss vlog where he will chronicle his journey to lose weight and get healthier. One of the things he asks for is to be held accountable on his journey by friends, family, and the internet. I’ll be joining in too to watch and encourage him. He’s an amazingly intelligent and funny dude. Go for it, JD!

His story is motivating me to get healthier, as I gained weight over my recent vacation experience and hope to get back in the groove of living and eating well too.

One of those classic scripture verses that people find lots of inspiration in is Hebrews 12:1, which talks about being surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” on our journey. The idea is that we are being cheered on, like in the Olympic games or whatever, to finish the race that is before us. It’s a beautiful poetic term, and regardless of your approach or understanding of faith, it does capture something that seems universal to the human experience. We all have moments where we need to be cheered on or challenged to not give up on what we feel like we are called to do with our lives. Maybe that support comes from some kind of spiritual realm… or maybe it just comes from people around us that we trust and love us. Or maybe it can even come from strangers on the internet.

But what a difference it can make!

Have you given that kind of support to anyone this week? Have you received that encouragement from someone else? I hope you have or consider this your own challenge to be a part of that that cloud for someone else.

Peace on your journey!