by: Russell McLaughlin

Lighten Your Load

David Posman was arrested in Providence, Rhode Island, after allegedly knocking out an armored car driver and stealing the closest 4 bags of money. It turned out they contained $800 in pennies, weighing 30 pounds each, and slowed him to a stagger during his getaway so that police officers easily jumped him from behind.

David Posman is not the first person to make the mistake of trying to run while being weighed down. In fact, it happens spiritually all the time. We are often in spiritual danger because we hold on to weights that can destroy us.

            As Christians we have to be careful not to be weighed down by the wrong things. The writer to the Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”  Hebrews 12:1-2

            As God’s children we must remember our spiritual goals and priorities. Let’s keep throwing off the weights and sin that can hinder and entangle. Let’s remember to focus on spiritual things, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”  Colossians 3:1-2

            Take some time this week to think about things you need to get out of your life, so you can finish your race. Let’s lighten our load and run with perseverance the race before us!