In review of Hebrews 12:1 it says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (NLT).
Today’s verse from Hebrews 12:1 is a reminder that we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So, I should rid myself of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to me so tightly, and then run with determination the race that lies before me.
It’s good to know that I do not struggle alone, and I'm not the first to struggle with the problems I face. Others have run the race and won, and their witness can stir me to run and win as well.
In order to run the race that God has set before me, I must strip off the excess weight that slows me down. I can do this by, (1) choosing friends who are also committed to the race. Wrong friends will have values and activities that may deter me from the course. Much of my own weight may result from the crowd I run with. Make wise choices. (2) Drop certain activities. Drop them for a while; then check the results in my life. (3) Get help for areas that disable me.
Life as a Christ follower involves hard work. It requires me to give up whatever endangers my relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, I must keep my eyes on Jesus, for I will stumble if I look away to stare at myself or my circumstances.
What I’m learning is that the most important word to remember for my spiritual journey may be a surprising: it’s the word “no.”
My faith journey is a long one. I may have started off well but putter out before the end. God wants me to go the distance. I’ve got a marathon ahead of me, and I can’t run the marathon with barbells in my hands. Often people quit their faith journey early because everything they’re carrying wears them out. Therefore I need to de-clutter.
A cruise liner can move pretty fast to the middle of the water. However, If you add a hundred lifeboats to it, it’ll slow down. Plug a battery into one light bulb, and it’ll go a long way. Plug it into 15, and it drains quickly. Plug it into 100, and it’ll drain even more quickly.
That’s what happens to me when I try to do too much. I need to learn to say “no” to some things that are good because they keep me from doing my best.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” (NLT).
Weights aren’t bad, and they’re not sinful. They’re just unnecessary. For me It could be things within my job, or how I spend my time. It’s something that slows me down from what God wants from my life. And it’s just not worth it.
In summary, I need to rid myself of everything that gets in the way, then run with determination the race that lies before me. I'm not alone in this, others have faced this as well and they have run the race and won. I must strip off the excess weight that slows me down. I can do this by; choosing friends who are also committed to the race, dropping certain activities and getting help for areas that are disabling me. I need to give up whatever endangers my relationship with God, to run with endurance, and with the power of the Holy Spirit fight against sin. I also need to keep my eyes on Jesus for I will stumble if I look away. The most important word to remember is "no". God wants me to go the distance, and it's difficult to do when I’m carrying barbells. I need to declutter. Learn to say "no" to some things that are good because they keep me from doing my best.
Father thank you for the reminder that it is ok to say “no”, even to good things. I can’t do everything. I pray this morning Father that you help me determine what are the right thing to do and not do. I also ask you for your wisdom and guidance for the work tasks I face to day for myself and my team. Help me to be a good leader and help me to respond rightly to others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!
