Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . . (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV)
It’s easier to run with less weight. If you don’t believe me, go outside and run up the block in front of your house. Then, put on 20-pound ankle weights and do it again. You’ll notice a huge difference in the difficulty the second time.
Not only is it more difficult, but the extra weight can make it impossible to finish a race. Your body will fatigue more quickly. And it can even result in injury.
In Hebrews, Paul compares running a race to our spiritual walk with God. And what’s one thing he tells us to do? He instructs us to lay aside every weight.
Just like it’s physically harder to run with more weight, your spiritual walk is more difficult when it’s weighed down. When we try to walk spiritually with that weight, we get tired and burned out. To run our race well, we need to identify the things in our lives that are “weights” and lay them aside.
They’re different for each one of us. Yet, a common spiritual weight is the cares of this world. In the parable of the sower, Jesus told us how “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word” and make us “unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22 NKJV). We can get bogged down by
- worry and anxiety,
- reliving past hurts, or
- a fixation on money or material things.
Yet, we can lay aside those “weights” so our race is lighter. How? By keeping our eyes fixed on God and letting Him carry our burdens for us. The Bible instructs us to give our weight to God.
- Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV).
- And in 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV), the Bible says to cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
So, stop carrying the extra weight. Lay it aside by placing your burdens in the hands of the One “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). Keep your eyes fixed on God. Spend time with Him every day, reading His Word and asking Him to help you. Then it will be easier to run your race as you walk by faith with Him.
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