Renewal on the Run!
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 trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. – Hebrews 12:1-2
It really is all about stripping everything off that would weight us down – so that we can be free to run with endurance! I am convinced that weights lead to sin and while we might be weighted and slow – if we do not deal with the weights then eventually we will be tripped up by sin! So this week, let’s first identify our weights and then let us STRIP them off!
Weights look like………
1. Jobs (service) in the church to which you are not called to but obligated by the rest of the church
2. Identity based performance – needing to be recognized for your service – man pleasing instead of God pleasing
3. Insecurity
4. Self-rejection
5. Lack of discipline (in all areas of your life)
We are off to a good start – now you take it…I’ll be posting this week about what we do next. But for the next few days you take it from here and identify the weights…GET TO IT!
6.
Weights can also be things I take on as responsibilities that ought to be left in God’s hands. I need to let go of worry over things I can’t control. If God calls me to take action in a situation, I must do what He asks, then trust Him for the outcome. This is so hard because I want to have solutions now, not later! I want to be in control. But it is senseless for me to think I could control situations better than God can!
Condemnation from our shortcomings
How about these:
Apathy
Fear
Intimidation
Just to name a few. Each of these strongholds/weights/ can be established early in our lives and carried over into adulthood…especially in the church.