Run the Race

The Lord reminded me through the words of a friend today that we are to” run the race!” I knew it was from the Lord because the Holy Spirit convicted me at that moment those words were spoken.

Hebrews 12:1,2
"Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and haws sat down at the right hand of God's throne."
I ran across a Bible study on this verse. This author uses the analogy of the weigh of sin being like a “suitcase”. Let me share some of the points made:

“The most common suitcase is “the sin that so easily hinders our progress.” This doesn’t mean that you can’t run the race if you commit sins (we’d all be out of the race!)—it means that you can’t stay in the race long if you are clutching on to and rationalizing things that you know God says are wrong and destructive. When you’re clutching on to and rationalizing sexual immorality or substance abuse/dependence, it will sap your motivation and stamina. When you clutch on to and rationalize bitterness and hatred, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Eph.4:32 context). When you’re clutching on to and rationalizing things like materialistic greed, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Mk.4:18,19).

By distinguishing “the sin that so easily hinders our progress” from “every weight that slows you down,” the author implies that even things that are not overtly morally wrong can be suitcases that we need to lay aside—because they simply don’t fit into the course/race God has set before us. Early in my Christian life, I devoted a lot of time to creative writing. But at a certain point, God showed me that he wanted me to use most of my (very limited) creative talent to develop Bible teachings. I couldn’t do both to the extent that I wanted to, so I decided to drop most of the writing. And I haven’t regretted that decision. I was talking to a young brother recently who has decided that he needs to radically down-size his living situation so he can have more time and energy to devote to spiritual growth and service. It wasn’t a black and white moral issue—but God showed him that it was a weight that was slowing him down. Other such suitcases include: VIDEO GAMES; INTERNET SURFING; SHOPPING; SPORTS HOBBIES; TV/CABLE. Paul says these things may be lawful, but when they are enslaving you it’s time to put them down (1Cor.6:12)."
http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/hebrews/gary/heb12-1.htm

I certainly can name a suitcase or two that I have been carrying around lately. Today I had been holding onto a suitcase of bitterness. I'm not sure what caused me to pick that case up again, but I'm glad the Lord has reminded me that I need to put it down again to run this race!!