Don't run with speed

A few days ago, a friend brought a scripture up for us to discuss (Darlington, God bless you.) And while we were discussing it, I just knew I was going to write my thoughts on it here. For reasons unknown to me I have been postponing it (do you know I used to spell postpone as prospone? Thank God for dictionary and auto correct o), but my mind hasn't stopped brooding on it since and so, here I am, about to type away lessons learned from Heb12:1. Enjoy....

Heb12:1 (TLB)
"... let us Strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us"

I just love the living translation (couldn't help typing this.  Hehe).

Have you ever tried running or walking fast while carrying a heavy bag? It's almost impossible. The weight of the bag slows us down tremendously making running very hard so also in our journey through life and in scriptural growth, weights hinder our progress.

And so, the writer of Hebrews advices us to remove, drop, flee from, or strip off anything (and anyone) that slows us down or hinders us back, that is an unnecessary item for our trip.

What is holding you back from achieving your goals? Who is discouraging you from pursuing your dreams? What is holding you back and slowing you do? What is making you lose your focus on God? Drop it, drop them.

Leave that unhealthy relationship. Create distant between you and that friend. Flee from that environment.

We need people who have the same beliefs as we do. We need people that see the potentials and possibilities in us. We need friends that would encourage us to pursue that goal, that dream, that passion, that idea. We need people that will pray for and with us, people who are not to 'tushed' to kneel and intercede with and for us. We don't people who we can't learn anything from, people who take and don't give, people who only criticise and never appreciate, people who abuse us emotionally, verbally, physically, mentally and even socially. We dont need friends that encourage us to do that which God says is wrong, we don't need people who commend our shortcomings. When we begin to see that a relationship is holding us back,  we shouldn't be afraid to let it go.

Heb12:1 goes on to make emphasis on those sins, -habits, addictions - that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up.

There are sins, habits, addictions and challenges that alot of us deal with. These addictions hold us back from reaching our full potentials and living the fullness of God. Sometimes, our habits could seem not harmful but in the long run, they hinder our progress and so we need to cut them down.

We need to face and conquer our challenges, we need to stay above our addictions (read a post I wrote on this here), we have to break those habits.

God has given us discipline,self-control and a sound mind in Jesus, so yes! It is possible to break free from your sins.
It's possible and wise to stop doing those things you know God doesn't smile at no matter how enjoyable there may seem. Remember sin always seems sweet, but the end would make you regret.

And finally, Heb12:1 says we should run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. The message translation says 'run, never giving up'. The amplied says, 'run with patience and endurance'.

We all have our specific paths in life. We all have our own purposes. We all have our own passions and dreams and so, as we journey through life we should remember that life is no competition, everyone has his own path and we should run having patience with ourselves and with God (trusting God).

We have to understand that there is no hurry (remember its no competition). Give yourself time to go through the process, allow yourself grow gradually,  allow yourself make mistakes and then learn from your mistakes and become better. Remain steady in your faith confessions no matter the situation. Trust God’s timing and directions. Go in the pace he has set for you. Be patient with yourself and with God. The scripture didn't say run with speed, it said run with patience. Do the best you can do in this level before you jump to the next. No haste and when situation seems hard, endure. Remember God doesn't allow what we cant bear come to us. Endure, the storm will pass and no matter how long its taking you to get to you destination, never give up. As along as Jesus tarries, you will definitely get there.

Go light, go with patience and endurance and Never give up.

Much love.