“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,”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Ever run really fast with a heavy backpack behind you? Sure you know quite well what that feels like…
To be very honest… thinking of this scripture brings tears to my eyes and father Lord we’re grateful that you reveal these words in the scriptures for our learning…
So obviously there is a race to be run, so important that We are admonished to run with perseverance… I take it we all intend to reach our mark, and perhaps come out victorious in this race. Question is ; how do you do this when you’re carrying a whole baggage behind you.
There’s a movie that we watched as children several years ago – Pilgrim’s progress, The story of Christian’s journey is actually a dream that the movie’s unnamed narrator is having. In the narrator’s dream, Christian is carrying a heavy burden on his back—the weight of his sins—and doesn’t know how to get rid of it. He’s also struggling with the knowledge that his hometown, the City of Destruction, will soon be destroyed by a fire.
He goes through several challenges till He gets to the cross and is delivered of his burden. To think that was not enough , he continues to meet several other challenges that seek to distract him, slow him down or derail him from his course, but through much perseverance he prevails and reaches the celestial city.
Now, like Christian, every born again Person has their baggage of original sin removed by the work of Jesus on the Cross, and therefore it will be unwise to continue in the guilt of sin and the fruits of sin in one’s heart while’s trying to go on this journey of finding the city of light in one’s heart.
The Opening verse says “let us throw away anything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily besets us”. At this point you may want to do some introspection, to find out what is it that hinders you… Its so personal that it may not look anything like what hinders your brother. For some people Habouring feelings of hurt and bitterness, or talking about other people behind their backs, or something as insignificant as being dishonest with yourself in your heart or doubting the word of God concerning your life could be the very thing that is setting you back. For others it could be a habit of laziness, busyness or indecisiveness.
It would be great if you could spend sometime alone today thinking through to find out “what is it that is holding me back on my journey?”
Now you will need to be truly honest with yourself to be able to see what it is. And when you do… lift it up to God, because He said “ come unto me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and i will give you rest”. He will take away that burden so you can run that race with ease!
God is not a wicked task master… He knew times like these would come and so He opened the door so we could come before Him with boldness anytime we needed to.
God loves you! Talk to him today… And receive rest from your burdens.
Let go and let God!
Love,
Zoe 🌟