Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Just this week, a track and field coach in New Hampshire, lost his job since he would not require his students to wear masks while they competed on the track. He felt it was unreasonable to expect that atheletes can compete with the added baggage of a facemask. I agree. Now, imagine running in a race this week wearing your winter overcoat, hat, and gloves. Or imagine running a race carrying your desktop computer.

When you compete in any race, including a marathon, you want to run with as little excess weight as possible. You even consider the weight of the necessary things like your shoes, right?

That’s the picture the writer of Hebrews is placing before us as we “run with endurance the race that is set before us.

What, then, are “the weights and sins which clings so closely” in our lives? Could it be that weights are good things that are taking our attention away from the race? Are our choices in everyday life helping or hurting? Is there an area of sin that causes a blister on our heels?

According to the passage, we have a part in the decision and the writer of Hebrews includes himself in the discussion as he says “Let us also lay aside…”.

Time to take a little personal inventory. Ask God if there a particular weight or a sin in your life today? Let us let it go.