Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)
The importance of community is central in many cultures around the world, but especially in the distinct cultures of West Africa. Whether Yoruba, Fon, Bassa, or Krue, the distinct cultural orientation is toward a communal sense of self-definition. Cultures built on communal understandings are often self propagating- their character and identity grow as the community grows.
Key to this propagation are the elders. The founders, elders, and ancestors are the keepers of the culture. Inheritors of meaning, and transmitters of history, elders serve to maintain the character of the community and define the parameters of our shared life together. The elders, the fore-parents, and the ancestors watch, tell, speak, poke, prod, nudge, and urge us into the fullness of ourselves. This is as true for those who walk alongside us as those who’ve walked before us.
Could it be that the writer of Hebrews had this understanding in mind when they penned this twelfth chapter?
After spending most of the previous chapter talking about the heroes of ancient Israel, the writer transitions his argument by using two interrelated metaphors. The first metaphor conjures the communal ancestors as a “great cloud of witnesses” who are looking on and encouraging us from eternity. They encourage us- here is the second metaphor– to “run the race set before us”, as if discipleship is a race that we must continue to run.
The beauty of this passage is just how obvious and straightforward the metaphors fit and apply. They stand the test of time. And, they make good African (and African American) sense. Many of us in the African American experience have heeded and appreciated the words of our foremothers and forefathers. The value of their wisdom, experience, and guidance shaped our communal values and defined our first understandings of the world around us. The passage here celebrates this important lynchpin in our faith- our heritage and history.
The fact that our elders hopes and dreams are invested in our successes is just as true in the spiritual sense as they are in the secular sense. Every word of encouragement spoken by an elder and every prayer prayed by our ancestors is realized a bit more fully in us. No wonder they look on and speak to us, sing to us, walk with us, and nourish us. Our success is their success.
We have so much work to do. So much to work on in our society, our culture, and our faith. This is a work of perfecting, correcting, and rewriting. A work of tearing down in order to build up and restore. And this work is not new…
It began with a great cloud of witnesses. Witnesses who saw destruction, kidnapping, and loss.
Ancestors who were freedom loving but were denied freedom.
Elders who walked tall in spite of being beat down.
Foreparents who were denied promises so that we could be promising.
Each generation encouraging the next with hopes, dreams, songs, and prayers. Believing that their living would not be in vain.
Isn’t good to know that they are the ones looking on and encouraging us, even now,
“to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes?”
Can’t you see them? Aren’t they a vision for us to keep on running toward? Keep the faith, and the fight.
Asé
visionsoftruth 
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