“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
I’m still stuck at the intersection of Hebrews 12:1 — in the cancer lane!
I’ve been “chewing” on the words in the verse. One of the reasons I found this verse easier to memorize was all the “e” words: every, encumbrance, easily, entangles, endurance. (And my husband didn’t think I knew an “E word” — Exercise.)
Clearly, the verse tells us to “put off” and “press on.” The “let us lay aside” and “Let us” are the actions needed for those “e” words. We are to put off the encumbrances and the entanglements.
Don’t forget that word “every” — zero tolerance! Why is it so hard to manage zero tolerance?
“The race that is set before ”…Our Creator, the Universe Designer, the “Meet Manager” and “Course Marker” set up my race “before” my time! He didn’t need my help to decide what curves and lanes went into my race. I just wear the shoes!
Life is filled with many wonderful experiences that I desire, delight in, and remember fondly. Unfortunately, encumbrances and entanglements are like rocks stuck in the lining of my shoes, and prayer is the only removal agent. The Holy Spirit alone is able to dislodge the encumbrances that weigh heavy and eradicate the entanglements of sinfulness in my life.
But, life in the shoes is good! “God is good all the time! All the time God is good!”
One more thought on my mind (well, maybe more than one is left up there)…what about that “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us? In today’s world where our “lives” are “parked” in the “cloud,” it brings a whole
new meaning to the “cloud of witnesses surrounding us”! Just throwing that out there! ☺
dust + Deity = Endurance for the race set before me!
Press on, walk worthy, my friends!
