How To Run Your Race Baggage Free
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Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash
Do you desire to make a difference in this world? Is there a dream burning inside you? Do you want to leave a legacy?
Yet, do you ever feel like you take two steps forward and one step back? Or one step forward and two steps back. Maybe going through life feels like trudging through a swamp? Or, you might even feel like you're stuck in a tar pit going nowhere?
You might feel like giving up. Maybe you've got anxiety on speed dial? Or, you keep trying to step into your calling yet feel like you're going nowhere. Is it really worth it all?
How do we keep moving forward? How do we not grow weary when in reality, we're tired of it all? How can we run the race that God's called us to and feel like we're winning?
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
1 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This passage of Scripture holds a key for us to keep moving forward and not give up.
"…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us."
Sin in the original language means to "miss the mark." We know we've all missed the mark.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
The beautiful thing about Jesus' death and Resurrection is that He "hit the mark" for us.
The term, Easily Entangles us is "a serious hindrance that "encircles" or hampers someone who desperately also needs to advance."
The Bible told us to lay aside those issues that encircle us – hindering us from advancing.
When I was a kid, we used to go blackberry picking all the time. I was determined to make a blackberry pie with all those delicious berries. But, sadly, they never made it home.
When picking berries, I had to get deep in the bushes to get those big juicy ones. Inevitably, I would get my clothes caught on the thorny branches. I'd pull that branch off only to get my backside caught on another one. It felt like the more I struggle, the more tangled I would get.
Being entangled in things that encumber us or cause us to miss the mark weighs us down. It prevents us from moving into what God has called us to, the life we were meant to live. It stops us in our tracks and holds us there like a prisoner.
hoto by Raquel Brepohl on Unsplas
Ask yourself these questions:
What is weighing you down?
What's hindering you?
What do you need to give to Jesus so you can be free to run your race?
What do you need to let go of?
Verse two gives us a clue on how to let go.
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
Fixing means to "look away from all else, to fix one's gaze upon."
This is how Jesus endure the cross. He looked away from the pain, the shame, and the rejection.
He fixed his gaze on US.
We are the joy set before Him.
He did it so we would grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3 Mirror translation
Ponder how he overcame all the odds stacked against him; this will boost your soul-energy when you feel exhausted.
Now it's our turn. We're to look away from those burdens and fix our gaze upon Jesus. He is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Look away from the negative circumstances weighing you down. Look away from the mistakes that dominate your thoughts. Look away from the struggles holding you back.
But it's hard to look away. Isn't it?
Fix your eyes on Jesus by focusing on what He's has done for you.
Fix your eyes on His love for you.
Thank Him for redeeming you, loving you, setting you free.
Thank Him for never leaving you!
When you fix your eyes on Jesus, you will automatically look away from the hindrances holding you back.
It doesn't matter what curve balls life has thrown you. Let it go. Let go of the weights. Let go of the burdens. Let go of the pains.
Let Jesus boost your soul energy so you can run this race with joy!
Discussion
What is one thing you will think about to fix your eyes on Jesus today?
Resources
Mirror Moments - Quiet Reflections to heal and inspire a woman's heart by Sharon Fletcher, Donna McDaniel and Heather Bunch
God Notes - Daily doses of Divine Encouragement by Jackie Trottmann
Meditation is a fabulous way to learn to let go and fix your eye on Jesus! And, if you're like me and get distracted easily, then a guided meditation is right up your alley. I use and love Jackie's guided meditations. I know Jackie personally, and her walk with Jesus. If you've always wanted to learn how to meditate, this is a great way to get started. I recommend starting with Be Still and know that I am God meditation.