“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Late one night driving home to Regina from Estevan, Saskatchewan, I encountered one of the worst “whiteouts” of my driving career.

A “whiteout” for those who are not familiar with the term, is a condition where snow is either falling or blowing in such a way that all a driver sees is “white.”

Visibility is virtually reduced to zero. You do not know where you are on the road. Or even if you are still on the road.

It is a frightening prospect for a driver. You’re not sure if there is any opposing traffic.

You do not want to pull over on to the shoulder, just in case a vehicle behind you does not notice you being there and crashes into you.

I was driving on a single lane highway with a ditch on either side. I dreaded the thought of ending up in the ditch.

Needless to say I had to drive at a considerably lower speed than the posted speed limit.

To be honest, all I wanted to do was somehow get home safely.

As I tried to navigate my way through this whiteout, all of a sudden I spotted some tire marks on the snow just ahead of me.

Pretty soon, I was able to tell that a truck was driving a short distance ahead of me by the rear red brake lights…praise God!

All of a sudden, I was filled with a confidence that was not there just a few short moments back.

All I had to do was to drive in the tracks left behind by the truck.

What a relief!

Sure enough, this strategy held me in good stead and helped me get back home safely.

On this Sunday morning, as we gather to worship along with other believers, I am keenly aware of those who went ahead of me on this journey of faith.

There were times when I wasn’t sure I could keep going on my own. Or I wasn’t sure I could navigate my way safely.

That is when I realized that all I needed to do was to follow in the footsteps of someone who had blazed a trail for me.

One of the greatest blessings of following Jesus is that we do not travel alone.

He is “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” He has paved the way for us to follow.

Others began to walk in the tracks he made at the very outset.

Beginning with his disciples, followed by countless others—be they apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers—or those who did not hold a particular office, they simply walked in Jesus’ footsteps and left tracks behind.

For me. For you. Wow!

Would you join me in taking a few moments to remember with gratitude those in your life who made tracks on which you still drive today?