Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
We have just been given the motivational speech of a lifetime. The Old Testament list of heros was just exhausted. The question is “will we finally be serious and put off the distractions to faith; those sins that trip us up?” The ones we’ve been wrestling with for decades, but keep around?
I don’t have a competitive nature, so calling it a race doesn’t drive me. However, this writer is inspired by God, so there are aspects of us that need to be taken seriously as if it’s a race. We may try to justify our sin or bad habits, by telling ourselves that we aren’t hurting anyone. But ch 11 puts our own experience into a larger context of His will. Our lives are like cogs in the machinary of His will in the world. We are interconnected. Our lives do matter. We do touch others. George Bailey from It’s A Wonderful Life had the chance to see his influence. We also make a difference. We don’t know the extent of it. Just as George prayed, “I want to live again.” So, we should want to live for Him; put aside the things that dilute our lives.
The interesting component is that He leaves this up to us. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that “each should give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” While this is speaking of giving money, it applies to all types of giving. Phillipians 2:7 says that “it is God who is at work within you to work and to will and to work for His pleasure.” This is a great promise. We often don’t want to obey. But as we walk with Him, He causes us to want to do what He wants. Lord, help us to lay aside the sin that entangles us.