Keep Good Company

Keep Good Company

Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses . . . let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Cary Weisiger III, a retired pastor, was invited to participate in the ceremonies celebrating Fuller Seminary’s fortieth anniversary and the inauguration of the president’s lectureship. The event took place in early November.

The four speakers on the program included the scholarly giants Carl F. H. Henry, theologian; Samuel Hugh Moffett, professor emeritus of ecumenism and mission at Princeton; and Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen, professor of interdisciplinary studies at Calvin College, as well as Weisiger.

When Weisiger got up to deliver the opening address, he was characteristically humble in the company of such academic luminaries:

I have been a pastor, by the grace of God. If I could do it all over again, I would be a pastor. I have never, frankly, regarded myself as a scholar. I have tried to be studious, and I want to thank Dr. David Hubbard for including me in this program today.

A farmer once put his mule in a horse race, and his friends said to him, “Silly, that mule can’t run with those thoroughbreds.”

The farmer said, “I know it, but you have no idea how good it makes him feel to run with those great horses.”

Like that mule, I know I can’t run with all those biblical heroes listed in Hebrews 11, but I know they are there cheering me on as I run my own race, and I just love being in such great company.

Thank you, Father, for allowing me to stay in the race. I know I am still running only because of your sweet grace and long-suffering kindness. Give me the heart and courage to keep running, no matter what may happen in this life. Heaven is my goal, and I won’t stop until I get there. Amen.