You know, there is something that holds or has held everyone back from being the best they can be, and being the most effective witness for Christ, that weighs us down in this Christian Race.
Hebrews 12:1 says:"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."
First let me say that- The Christian journey is compared to a race in so many places. and i began to think why? I mean paul compares it to a run, the author of hebrews does as well. I mean why not a walk, why not a swim, why not just sitting or anything else. This really got me thinking. To run in a race it takes preparation, dedication, training, perseverance, good habits, practice and believing. Alot of application. anyone can say they can run, but can you really? Its like anyone can say they are a Christian, but are they really? (okay that topic is for another day!) anyways- the Christian faith is so much like a race. I mean other sports need all of that too, but since running is continuous and really focusing on your own personal growth and strength and perseverance i guess that is why it is compared to a race. okay now back to how we can run the race better.
In Hebrews 12:1 It says to throw off everything that hinders us, and the sin that weighs us down. This Christian race is the most important race, actually most important thing in life. In a real race the runners barely wear anything and why? so they can run faster and win the race. If they have a heavy t-shirt on, or longer shorts, or say they have ankle weights, jewelry, or anything extra- it will effect their run- in a negative way. that extra stuff is just like the sin in our lives- no matter how big or small it may be. It is in the way of us being the best runner we can be. Its hard to let that sin go, but once we do the run will be lighter, it will make us better and more effective.
i wonder why we hold on to the things that hinder our run when we know when we let go it will become easier. the author of hebrews thought the same thing- for he says let go of the sin that EASILY entangles us. sin just gets us so easily, with us knowing it does and we are better without it.
The race takes perseverance as well. this life is not easy, and even when throwing off the sin it will become easier but running is still hard! nothing will ever make running really really easy. you have to have determination and perseverance to finish. Same with Christianity. you have to have perseverance during the hills and the downhills. the key is to never look back and to never give up or to never take detours. keep running the race that is set in front of you.
I was sitting at my little cousins baseball game and a player almost didnt make it to second base because he looked back to see where the ball was. well looking back made him slow down and almost not be safe. We should never look back to our old lives when we are new in Christ. We should never look back slowing our run willing to risk something and not being safe. So my mom was sitting next to me and i shared my newfound analogy with her and she looked at me and said we should never take detours either. That is so true. For when running the race there is only one way to get there effectively and fairly and in a way to win. taking detours only slows us down as well. and sin makes us take the detours. keep running straight keeping your eye on the goal. - GOD -
anyways- this is getting lengthy and i really could probably talk about this for a very long time. but if you want to hear anymore of my thoughts just ask me. this was dear to my heart today. Sin so entagles us and don't let it. Don't let sin hinder you. realize it only hurts you in the long run. be effective. HAVE THE VICTORY!
be free.
run THE race.
{embrace the journey}
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