Preparing for the race

 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12.1-2

 

What do runners do when they get ready for a race as they approach the starting line? As they walk to the line you’ll see them getting rid of every gram of weight the can get rid of. The strip down to the bare essentials. When this was written the bare essentials meant truly bare.

 

It makes no sense to run encumbered by weight. I recently saw where someone ran a marathon in a deep-sea diver’s suit. It made for a good stunt, but he sure didn’t win the race.

 

Anyway, back to the race at hand.

 

When we our running the race God has set out for us we need to get rid of the baggage. We need get rid of the sin load. We need lay aside anything, anything, that will slow us down. Its no wonder people get weary and drop out of the race.

 

A lot of it is up to us. We have a choice to run in the deep sea river’s suit or stripped down to the bare necessities.

 

Deal with the distractions. Get rid of the sins. Get in the race. Run.