As part of a Bible Study, for the past week I’ve been meditating on a portion of the scripture found in Hebrews 12:1-2. The New Living Translation says “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…”
When I initially read this scripture, I could not think of any weight or sin that was intensely wrestling with right now. I couldn’t immediately see what was hindering me from running along the path the Lord has before me.
The only thing that popped in my mind was the 10 pounds of natural weight I’ve put on since giving birth to my baby boy five months ago. Now THAT, I really need to strip off!
If nothing else, that scripture encouraged me to go in a little harder on the Zumba!
But since I know that I am far from perfect and God’s word is much deeper than my little 10 pound issue, I asked the Lord to search my heart and reveal to me anything that served as a weight, or sin, in my life. While I don’t practice sin, as I strive to live holy before the Lord every day of my life, we all fall short of His glory. So as I opened my heart to hear from the Lord, He showed me that there was indeed some internal weight I needed to strip off.
He uncovered some emotional pain that I had hidden deep in the crevices of my heart. He also revealed to me that that pain had become a hindrance in my life, in the aspect that I had allowed it to pull me away from a particular area of ministry. Not only that, but the Lord showed me how, even though I thought I had, I hadn’t completely forgiven those who played a part in my emotional hurt. And I couldn’t argue with God, because, as always, He was right.
When you ask the Lord to search your heart, and reveal those hidden places, He will do just that. And I’m glad He did, because the enemy is slick and will use the smallest things that we think aren’t issues, and turn them into things that will lead us into sin. Though there was definitely a time in my life when sin constantly tripped me up and prevented me from walking, or running the race God set for me, I am thankful that He pulled me up out of the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock. (Psalm 40:2)
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t want anything or anyone to slow me down or hinder me from running along the path God has set for me. So I’m stripping off the emotional weight, and refusing to fall into the trap of unforgiveness. I am praying what David prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Anything that hinders you from living the holy life God expects His children to live needs to be stripped off. Strip, according to Dictionary.com, means to take away or remove; to clear out or empty.
Examine yourself. Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal those weights and the sin that needs to be taken away, removed, cleared out, and emptied from your life so that you may freely run the race He has set before you.
I believe in this season, the Lord, who is indeed longsuffering with His children, is calling us all to a higher level of accountability. For those of us who know better, He’s expecting us to do better. Although the Lord is gracious, and understands that we have struggles, He expects us, at some point, to find the way of escape He has already provided for us (1 Corinthians 10:13) and come out of those things that keep us bound.
What is the weight in your life? What sins are keeping you separated from God? What keeps tripping you up and holding you down? Is it unforgiveness; sexual immorality; bad attitudes; emotional pain; wrong relationships; bitterness; guilt; pride; shame?
Whatever it is, recognize it, own it, and ask the Lord to help you lay it aside. If you truly desire to be all that the Lord has called you to be, and do all that He has destined you to do in the earth, your life must line up with His word. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect—none of us are capable of that—but it also does not mean that you can’t strive for perfection.
The race isn’t always easy to run; along the way you run into roadblocks, setbacks, and pitfalls. But if you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, He will lead and guide you along the way, and if you ask Him, He will remove those things that serve as hindrances in your life.
Granted, some things, or people, are not removable. But God will even use your greatest challenges to increase your wisdom if you let Him.
Now who’s ready to drop some weight?
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, freelance writer and professional editor, is a wife and mom of three sons. LaKeisha is the owner & operator of LRC Editing (www.lrcediting.com), a Christian writing business specializing in proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and transcription services geared towards helping small business owners, self-published authors, non-profit and ministry leaders, and individuals reach their writing goals. She shares editing/writing tips on her business blog at http://lrcediting.blogspot.com.
LaKeisha is also an inspirational blogger who enjoys sharing encouraging messages with everyday women. Check out her blog, Real Woman, Real God at http://lakeishacollins.blogspot.com.