Monday, September 8, 2008

What is holding you back?

"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." Hebrews 12:1

I'm not much of a runner. I could never make it as a sprinter. I've got an awkward stride and I'm just not fast. But I am a plodder and given enough time I can go the distance. I won't set any speed records, but I can finish the race.

The bible tells us to "run with endurance". That means the Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Our need is not for speed, but rather stamina. And in any endurance race, we've got to run lean. Runners wear light clothing so they won't be weighed down.

So the writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely". Sin is any entanglement that keeps us from focusing on Jesus. The "weight" is anything that will slow us down in that pursuit.

William Lane, in his commentary on Hebrews explains it like this:

"The expression covers any encumbrance that would handicap a runner, and by analogy, anything that would interfere with responsible commitment to Jesus Christ. This might have reference to the love of wealth, attachment to the world, preoccupations with earthly interests, or self-importance. Christians are to divest themselves of every association or concern that would limit their freedom for Christian confession."

Are you feeling sluggish in your spiritual journey? Are you feeling weighed down? Maybe you've accumulated some excess baggage that is slowing your race! What do you need to shed from your schedule? What do you need to sell on eBay? What attitudes or thoughts do you need to discard? Take some time to do some soul and life searching with the Lord, get rid of the excess stuff, and run with freedom!

The well wisher of your soul's happiness,

Pastor Tom

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