D I S T R A C T I O N S

Hebrews 12:1

Do you remember watching Michael Johnson, the Olympic 200 and 400 meter gold medalist competing in oversized, baggy sweats with those big, fancy shoestrings and floppy socks?  Of course not, that would be absurd!  That stuff is too easily entangled with one’s arms and legs.  Rather you saw him in the most streamlined clothing and shoes that he could get.  We can learn from such strategy.

Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 1 speaks of the same concept, “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.” 

For the runner, he or she streamlines as much as possible so as to not become entangled and thus trip and fall.  For us as competitors, on a deeper level, we must watch out for the things in our lives that could entangle or ensnare us.  Sometimes we can become ensnared by foolish relationships or addictive behaviors and we can be tripped up by the things we wrap around our own lives.

In today’s competition, run free from the things that would entangle or ensnare you.  Lay aside those clumsy, useless things that would trip you up and keep you from being successful.  Run freely and well like the champion you are.

Bible Reading Plan:
I John 1:5-10
Job 9:1-20
Ezekiel 24-26