I have often wondered why basketball has not made a tremendous hit in England.

Due to the weather, one would think it would be an ideal sport. But from what we have heard, there is little or no place for an audience to sit, and no enthusiasm has been engendered for this particular sport. It makes one wonder how important it is for players to hear the reaction of the crowd.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2, KJV).

These verses are preceded by the great roll call of faith in Hebrews 11. And the picture I get is of a great stadium in which are seated all the saints who have preceded us, watching our progress. And I know that there are times in my own life when I have thought, “If only I could hear one cheer!”