Hey friend, I hope you are well! I have prayed for you. Not by name necessarily, but for every person that God would have read this. I pray the Word of God ministers to you today and helps you down the road in your walk with Him.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "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."
In the brief moments we have here, I want to focus on one aspect of this verse: "let us also lay aside every weight." I want to ask one question: what weight do you need to lay aside that you may run with endurance the race that is set before you? 1 Corinthians 9:24 says that in every race, every runner runs to receive a prize, but only one is awarded the prize. In the race that is set before us--the Christian life--every one who runs has a prize before them that they can win. 2 Timothy 4:8 says that this prize is "the crown of righteousness" and Philippians 3:14 calls the prize "the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Back in 1 Corinthians 9:24, the Word tells us, "So run that you may obtain it." Now, if you have yet, by the grace of God, been saved through faith in Jesus Christ, you're not running a race. You're dead and in need of new life from God. If this is you, please reach out and ask questions. We'd love to talk with you! But, for every person who has professed faith in Jesus Christ, there's a race to run!
So back to the question, reworded: in the Christian life, what is the weight that is slowing you down from running to obtain the prize that the Lord will give to those found worthy because of faith in Christ?
We are in a strange season right now, but it's a season and it will come to an end and a new season will begin. I've seen a lot of things lately challenging people to learn something new, some skill or hobby, to make sure that when this COVID season passes we are better than we were before it started. Well, pardon me for not caring so much if you improve your handicap or became a master gardener during this season. If you want to improve something during this season, improve upon your walk with God and lay aside every weight that slows you down in life with Christ. Every other area and thing that you could improve upon, great! It's bound for dust and ashes. However, improving upon your walk with Christ, your devotion to His Word, your devotion to prayer, your devotion to Him and His people, this holds everlasting promise!
1 Timothy 4:8 says, "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." What is the weight slowing you down? Lay it aside and keep running! Lord willing, I'll see you soon!
Grace & Peace,
John
(You can reach Pastor John at jwhite@thevillagemi.com)