Running Shoes

             A few weeks ago I heard a sermon on Hebrews 12:1, which says "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  I have known this verse for years, it even made it's way into my high school graduation speech. However, the way I heard this pastor use it had never crossed my mind. I will try to relay the same message he did while adding some things that GOD showed me through this verse.
            Here the writer is talking about running race ( like you really needed that clarification) and I do not know about you, but I have not run a race since Field Day in elementary school. I have always admired runners, but with allergies and being borderline asthmatic, I never have been. I imagine that it takes some intense dedication. Well, as most runners know, and those who follow the "couch to 5k" program, the more weight that you are carrying on your person, the harder it is to run well. I would agree with that, because the higher the number on my scale, the harder my workouts become. So the writer is saying "to lay aside " the weight that gets in the way of our running. We have this baggage if you will that keeps us from running to our fullest potential. We are are not as effective or productive as we are when we "lay aside" the weight.
            The next part of the verse is "and the sin which doth easily beset us" which gives us no specific sin to point out. It is my opinion that it is not any particular sin, but it is a certain sin that is personal to each individual. For example, I may struggle with lying whereas you may be an honest person. Let's make this verse more personal shall we? "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the lying which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." I know that I am a sinner, but I do not feel that I struggle with lying, however we could replace lying with any sin that you could think of. The point is, GOD is telling us that if we do not "lay aside" our sin or struggle, then we can not be as effective as HE wants us to be. HE has so much more in store for us, but our sin is getting in the way. We all sin every day, but that is not what HE is referring to. HE wants us to "lay aside" our struggles and our strong holds so we can finish strong and even finish 1st place.
             I do not know about you, but this verse has some powerful truth that I need to catch. GOD wants to use me and He wants to use you. Will we "lay aside" the sin and be used of GOD? I know I want to be used of HIM and I want to bring honor and glory to HIS name. Lord, help me to run my race without the baggage that I so often hang on to. I want to cast it down at your feet, run well, and finish strong.