“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Who is the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us? Everyone from Able to the most recent departed believer. They have all gone into heaven and eagerly await our arrival to join them in Heaven. We have people rooting for us. Paul may be cheering us on and praying for his fellow countrymen to find Jesus as he did on the road to Damascus. If we joined the family of God through the Billy Graham ministry then He is in our corner rooting us on in expectation of us joining him in heaven. We have their lives before us to read and study, to do what they did right, and not do what they got wrong. 

We have to set our face toward the prized that is laid before us, heaven, so that even when we don’t see it, it is still our objective. The great cloud of witnesses has achieved their prize, but we have not got there. We still have this walk to endure. But with Heaven as our goal, it makes this life easier because we know that no matter the hardships we face here it will be worth it when we get there. 

“He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:29-31‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/isa.40.29-31.hcsb