The saints are not distant. They are a cloud of witnesses. They ran the race. They kept the faith. They crossed the finish line. And now they surround us. Not as spectators watching from heaven, but as evidence of God's faithfulness. Their lives testify that the race can be run. Their example encourages us to keep going. The writer of Hebrews tells us to throw off what hinders us and fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the pioneer. He is the perfecter. He is the reason we run. The saints point us to Him. This week, we will honor the faithful believers who have shaped our faith and recommit ourselves to running the race set before us. They are with Christ. We are joined with them in the communion of saints. And Jesus runs with us. We are not alone. We never have been.