I remember one time when I was hiking with my family a couple of years ago a guy ran past us, pointed at me, yelled, "Hebrews 12:1", and disappeared around the corner. I've never seen him since.
At the time I couldn't remember what the verse said, but when I looked it up later I was amazed. It said...
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." ~ Hebrews 12:1-2
I was amazed because this was the very same verse that the Lord had been really laying on my heart around that time. I had been praying about it and thinking about it often as I reminded myself to keep my eyes focused on the Lord even when I grow weary. It reminded me to have endurance, stand firm, and trust the Lord even when it gets hard.
While reading my Bible a couple nights ago, I stumbled upon this verse again. This time I was struck by the words, "... lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely...". Most of us know we should lay aside and overcome sin - those things that are blatantly wrong. However, rarely do we take into consideration the weights in our life - those subtle things which are not necessarily wrong or evil, but can hinder us from finishing the race. They can distract us, discourage us, and cause us to grow weary.
When a runner runs a race, all their energy should go to finishing the race and reaching the goal - not to carrying unnecessary weights. In the same way, our energy should be given solely to finishing the race God has marked out for us. I don't know about you, but I want to give it my all.
God, please show me the weights in my life that hinder me from giving You my all.
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