Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
The other day my wife remarked how the trees in our woods have dropped their leaves quite early this year. We both agreed that it had alot to do with the lack of water from the minimal rainfall our region has had since mid-June.  It amazes me to think that God creates trees so perfectly that they automatically shed their leaves in order to conserve water and not only survive but to thrive for another year.
God creates both trees and human beings with perfection. The only difference is human beings have a brain and the gift of free will to do whatever they choose to do, whereas a tree does what God has programmed it to do. There are somedays I wish he would have programmed me like a tree. 🙂
As human beings, sin, like leaves on a tree during a drought, “slows us down and hinders our progress.”  As as a recovering addict, I know that sin unattended to in a healthy way has the potential to lead to behavior (i.e. bad habits and/or addictions) that serves as a medication for the pain felt from the sin. Once this vicious cycle begins, it has the potential to compound to a point where we are no longer able to run our race for God…been there done that.
So how do we “strip off” the weight of sin in order to effectively run the race God has set before us? It begins by focusing more on Jesus and less on the world.  “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT). I have found the closer my walk is with God/Jesus, the less I want to sin and the more I want to please Him from start to finish each and every day.Â
If you are like me and continue to sin despite the efforts to do otherwise, then you also need to develop a repentant heart. When we sin we must be willing to name it sin and ask God for forgiveness. Jesus died a horrible death in order to cover our sins. The least we can do is show our gratitude and faith towards this act of sacrifice by seeking His forgiveness. “Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:3 NLT).
How is your “race” looking these days? Try stripping off the weight of sin by sinning less and repenting more. You will be amazed at how quickly your endurance will improve. And even more importantly you will be able to safely say your thinking is creating actions that rival those of a tree.
P.E.A.C.E.
