Are they laughing at me?
When I say Mystery Science Theatre 3000, does that mean anything to you? For me, it was a vague memory. Basically, the premise of the show is that a human and robots watch a B-rated movie and give funny commentary on it. You see their silhouettes on the screen while the movie plays. The entire purpose is to make fun of the film. To laugh at it not in a good-natured way but rather to point out its flaws. Funny to be sure but, we would never want the movie of our lives played while people pointed out and laughed at our messes.
No we don’t want to always be asking the question are they laughing at me.
My vision was of this theatre. The Lord showed it to me to contrast this with the reality of the cloud of witnesses. Let’s look at scripture first and then dive into what the Lord told me.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].” (Heb. 12:1-2, AMP)
Right before Hebrews 12 in Hebrews 11, we learn about all the heroes of the faith, as some would call them. Those who have passed on but, during their lifetime showed great faith and endurance. These are the people who make up the cloud of witnesses.
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I asked Him, “What is the purpose and work of the cloud of witnesses?”
“They do not mock but, they bear witness to each time we as Christ-followers reenact, carry out or fulfill the Word of God and they mark it.”
This led me to ask, “What does that look like when they mark it?”
He then showed me a representation of their actions. I saw a sunrise bursting over a dense forest. As each sunbeam pierced through the trees, it landed on and was absorbed by a leaf or another object. The beam held its place there and the leaf color changed as it rested there. A great sense of peace permeated me.
“What does the light do?”
“It brings warmth, a touch of love, nutrients, and provides strength.”
Out of my heart burst a short prayer. “Thank You, God, for allowing me to be a part of the beam distribution committee.”
He had delivered to my heart the understanding that every time I acted in accordance with or spoke out scripture I distributed a beam to God’s designated location. We rarely get to choose where we are or precisely what we are doing if we have surrendered to Christ. He is the one who decides these things. But we do get to distribute beams of love, warmth, strength, and vital nutrients exactly where He decides for them to go.
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Look at the many promises of God. What a delight for the cloud of witnesses and for our fellow travelers when we agree with and seek after these promises. What a delight when we pick up the Word of God to help someone fight their battle.
No, you don’t have to question are they laughing at me. Our lives read like a great love story of a person found by their beloved. We can choose to open every magnificent gift from above and delight in that gift.
Don’t leave a single gift unopened. Even the ones that look difficult.
Use the Word to be a lamp unto your feet so that you can see where to go and see where to release God’s love into every situation. Keep the cloud of witnesses cheering as you speak and live out God’s Word and will for your life.
Lay back and picture beams of light shooting out from your life and delighting your Maker.
Prayer for you and me. Thank You, God, for allowing us to be beam distributors. People who agree with Your Word and carry it out. Let us wear out the throats of those cloud of witnesses with all the cheering we are generating through our surrendered lives. Thank You, that You chose us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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