Release the Unnecessary Weight and Find Joy
As You Run with Jesus.
Building on last month’s post, we talked about 2 steps not to overlook as you begin moving toward your Soul’s life’s work. To read in full click HERE.
The first step was Acknowledgement, finding the “You are Here” on your life’s map.
The second was Acceptance. Acceptance of how God has wired you and embracing the story He is writing with your life. Which includes your character traits he has uniquely penned and the chapter you currently find yourself in.
Today we’ll build on those two steps through the lens of Hebrews 12:1-2.
As I sat down to write this, my heart was racing, and thoughts were jumping around like ping pong balls. I wear many hats in the current chapter of my life and the transitions blur into one another from time to time. Sitting at the keyboard, I couldn’t find my writer’s hat, my breathing was off and I was running some race, who’s I wasn’t sure. Running for the sake of running uses more fuel and the tank runneth dry. So, I sat down with a dry tank looking at Hebrews 12:1-2 and unable to focus.
Read the words with me…
Hebrews 12:1-2 amp - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness), stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, (looking away from all that will distract us and) focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
A few words stood out to me, but I felt like Martha when Jesus said similar words in Luke 10:41 - Lisa, Lisa you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is needed.
Do you ever find yourself reading words like these and yet your mind continues to whirl? I was entangled and couldn’t find my way out.
I felt the nudge to send out an S.O.S. prayer request to my Bible Study prayer buddies asking for God’s help as I was writing. Thankfully I followed up on that nudge.
And shortly thereafter, I began to sense an invitation to work through this verse in my current moment.
Before Hebrews chapter 12 begins, we are reminded in chapter 11 of our forefathers. The author takes us through the hall of fame, highlighting their faith and God’s faithfulness.
My thoughts started to spill out through the keys, “You are faithful God, I know you are faithful. You are well aware of my deadlines.” As I typed those words, it was as if this verse (God’s word) came to life. The word MY stood out like a neon sign. MY deadlines…My deadlines…my deadlines. Those words reflected the race I was running. It was one of my own choosing rather than the one God had set before me.
He had my attention, so, I paused, and I asked, “What is the race you have set before me?” His response was, “You.” You the reader are part of the race He has set before me. “Encourage them to lay down what is not necessary so they too can run the race and keep the faith.”
I had already thought of some questions when I had looked at this verse earlier in the month. Given my running on fumes moment, I decided to answer them myself. (My answers in parentheses).
What are you hanging onto that isn’t necessary? (Deadlines, time frames)
What is slowing you down? (Thinking about past moments and future ones – not being present)
What wound have you been nursing and not brought to Him for healing? (My worth and how I tie it to my performance)
What do you need to lay aside? (My performance based worth, my deadlines, my past, my future, my race)
What has you entangled? (Expectations)
What is a sin that clings to you? (Perfection, people pleasing, desiring to do it all, desiring validation and affirmation from others)
It was in those last two items where God broke through: Desiring validation and affirmation from others. I was reminded that it’s His validation and affirmation that fills me - the fuel I NEED for the race set before me.
“Only one thing is needed.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t seem to hear it enough as to how much He loves me. And He wants YOU to know that as well. He’s the one to seek. He will fulfill your need of validation and affirmation. Not to “do” things for Him but to sit at His feet allowing Him to fuel your tank with His love. Then JOY will begin to runneth over.
Anyone else on a track of their own making? Or at least find yourself a bit off the path with the sin that so easily and cleverly entangles? I’d encourage you to pause and answer the questions above.
God, thank you for seeing each one of us and the unique race you designed based on how you knit us in our mother’s womb. There are so many things we get tangled up in, bothered by and just plain worry about - especially when we feel out of control. These things drain our tank and distract us. Help us to loosen our grip on these unnecessary things. Would you bless each person reading this as they pause to listen to you. Would you validate them and affirm them? Fuel their tank, Lord. Help them to remain in the race you marked out for them and let JOY be a fruitful companion.
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