“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 (Heb. 12:1).”
Commentators see the “weight” referred to as the bodily weight (literally “bulk” or “mass”) that would obviously be a liability for the athlete running a race or participating in almost any contest, something that the athlete would need to eliminate in order to be successful. What weight or excess baggage are you carrying that is preventing you from running the race that has been set out for you? Anything that is a part of your life that burdens you in some way is something that needs to be removed.
Maybe it has to do with a personal habit that you know you need to give up or change in some way. Maybe it is something that isn’t necessarily a major sin, but you know that God has been asking you to let go of for quite some time. Maybe you are carrying around a load of guilt and regrets for things you have done in the past. Maybe it is worry that is weighing you down. Maybe fear is what keeps you from moving forward and living the life that God wants to give you. Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30).” It is quite obvious that God never intended to lay such weight upon us that we would be unable to endure and live out His purposes for us. If you feel like some great weight has been placed upon you, it isn’t God who put it there.
The reference here to the “sin which clings so closely,” in the Greek has to do with that which can so easily constrict or squeeze us (think python here), because it is so much a part of our lives, e.g., in our work-settings, our friendships, or our personal circumstances. At times, we may have trouble even realizing that it has this effect on us. But, we feel it. The root of the Greek word is often translated “distress.” This type of sin has the potential to create further stress in our lives and restrain us, keeping us from being able to run at all.
In order to run with perseverance the race marked out for us we need to lay aside the things that are weighing us down, remove the sins or remove ourselves from the situations, relationships, or circumstances that have the potential to cause us such distress as to, literally, choke the life out of us.
What weight do you need to lay aside? What changes do you need to make in your life so that the stress isn’t keeping you from being able to run your race?
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