Get Rid of the Baggage

"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 NKJV

I remember my army days where we had to do 10 - 15 mile bashes. That's what we used to call route marches. We would be dressed in full kit, with a weighted pack on our backs, plus a heavy weapon and we had to march, on our own, from A to B. It was sheer pain, especially at first and the thought to throw off a piece of the heavy kit, was so tempting. Anything to relieve the constant struggle.

The Christian life is often described as a race. Check out 2 Timothy 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 9:24. It can seem so competitive at times but that's only because we make it seem that way. To be a Christian is not easy. As soon as we start, we are faced with our enemy, the devil, who will do anything to prevent us carrying on with this life and will put every type of temptation in our way in order to bring shame upon us.

If the Christian life isn't hard, why then do we have to run with endurance, the race set before us? Of course the Christian life is hard but that's where our endurance needs to kick in. The devil doesn't want us to succeed. He can't have this type of life and the blessings that come with it, so he'll try all he can to prevent us from enjoying it too by putting temptation in our way. Think of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), the serpent tricked her into staring, longingly at the fruit on the tree, until she couldn't stand it any longer and ate it. That was when sin was introduced into the world. It's no different today. There are temptations all around us and we need to deal with them as they crop up, or enter our minds.

The one sin that repeatedly defeats us is the one that the enemy will tempt us with. It can be alcohol abuse, adultery, homosexuality, pornography or a host of other things. This may be the one that we struggle with and the one that we need to address by getting rid of this baggage. It's a weight that is holding us back. It ensnares us, prevents us from reaching our goal. We need to lay it aside. How? By looking and focusing on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (V2). Easy, no it is not but is is achievable as we admit we need help and we throw ourselves on His mercy. You see, He is dedicated to taking this burden from us (Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7) because He cares.

Today, let Him set you free from the weight that ensures you so that you can run with endurance:

Lord Jesus
I need Your help. As I come to You now, please set me free from the weight of.................. and help me to run with endurance, by keeping my eyes on You. I ask in Jesus' Name . Amen
And if you have never given your life to Jesus, why not do it now:

Lord Jesus
I ask You to come and live in my heart. Please forgive my sins and fill me with Your Spirit, and be my Lord and Saviour. Amen