This weekend I am in Atlanta, GA for the Georgia high school state swimming championship. Our son, Micah, is competing in the meet. I will spend the weekend with parents from all over the state, cheering on our kids with great enthusiasm.

It does not matter what the sport or activity is, most parents happily spend great resources in time, effort, and money to support their children’s interests. Our family has spent hours and hours at rifle ranges watching air-rifle matches, in the unforgiving heat of softball tournaments, and swim meets that seem to go on forever. I have waited at the finish line of cross country meets anxiously scanning the distance for the first site of our runner. I have held my breath as our daughter went in for a basketball layup or sprinted from first base to steal second in softball. I have shouted until my voice gave out at swim meets, trying to motivate our swimmer to give that extra effort to cut a fraction of a second off their time. I have experienced moments of great anxiety at rifle meets when the accuracy of the next shot would be the difference between a great win or a disappointing loss. There have been moments of wonderful joy when games were won, and there has been long silent car rides home because of the sting of losing.

Why do parents give so much to support their children’s activities? Why do parents willingly and joyfully spend so much to support the efforts of their children? For most, their child will not become an Olympian or a professional athlete. For most, their child will not be good enough to earn a college scholarship that commiserates with the amount of resources expended. The answer cannot be found in what will be achieved collegiately or professionally. The answer to why such great resources are spent is found in the dynamics of the relationship.

Parents find joy in the success and achievement of their children. Parents have a deep desire to do all they can to help their children succeed. When our children were learning to talk, we celebrated each new word and constantly coached them to add more words to their vocabulary. When they began to walk, we celebrated each step as if they had won gold at the Olympics. This desire to encourage and support achievement and to celebrate each new goal is instinctive. 

This desire to support and celebrate our children may be natural, but it is not without peril. Because of our fallen nature, even the things that are natural can become unhealthy when not restrained by godly self-control. It is natural to be hungry, but overeating can lead to being unhealthy. Likewise, it is natural to desire the achievement of our children but without a clear understanding of what is worthy and God-honoring to achieve, we will be tempted to chase after and celebrate goals that have no eternal value.

Hebrews 11 gives a list of those who are examples of faith. Some of them are names you may easily recognize like Noah, Abraham, and Moses. There are others whose names may not be as familiar to you like Enoch, Barak, and Jephthah. In chapter 12 these heroes of faith are called a “great cloud of witnesses.”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1–3, ESV) 

The imagery of chapter 12 is that this great cloud of witnesses is cheering the saints on to set aside any encumbrance of sin and “run with endurance.” The imagery is of a sports competition. Like parents in the stands cheering on their children, this cloud of witnesses is cheering on the church. Like parents, in the stands, this cloud of witnesses finds joy in the achievement and success of the church. But unlike parents who may not have participated in the same endeavors as their children, these witnesses have already completed the race and now rejoice in others doing so as well.

Winning the prize is only good when the prize is worthy of winning. Enduring to the end and finishing the race is only worth the effort if the race is worthy of running. This weekend I will shout with all my might for Micah to swim faster and to press on until he finishes his event. If he wins, we will celebrate and rejoice greatly. No matter how he places, we will celebrate the fact that he made the cut to swim in the state championship. He has done well, and we are happy to cheer him on. Yet we know, even before his event begins, that this prize offers only a fleeting moment of euphoria. There is a greater prize. There is a more worthy race. 

The greater prize and the more worthy race are the prize of glory and the race of faith. In all the opportunities available today for achievement and recognition, let us not lose sight of what really matters. Celebrate the accomplishments and wins but do not become so enamored with the prizes of insignificance that you neglect the greater prize of enduring faith. Cheer with enthusiasm but save your greatest encouragement and cheers for the efforts of the saints striving for the kingdom of God. Celebrate when earthly races are won but rejoice exceedingly more when one walks faithfully before the Lord and endures in obedience until the end. The prize of enduring faith is worthy of your efforts. The encouragement of the saints is worthy of your joy.