Encumbrance--entangle--endurance

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

………..let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 

Whenever I see Hebrews 12:1-2 or hear it preached, I’m reminded of this story.  Years ago, I was teaching at Mt. Auburn when Pastor Joel Hunter was senior pastor.  I enjoyed a growing adult class with new faces appearing every Sunday.  One of the new faces was a very nice middle-aged woman who attended alone but after a few weeks she brought her husband.  Since he never said a word and didn’t smile, I stereotyped him as a reluctant husband in attendance because his wife made him.  You can imagine my shock (and helped to teach me not to judge others) when one Sunday while the class was discussing a certain subject this quiet, reserved man suddenly spoke up and quoted several verses from the book of Deuteronomy!  It turned out that this man was Dr. Bill Coker who had been a professor of theology at Asbury Seminary (where our pastor graduated) and had taken a new high level position with One Mission Society (OMS).  A few weeks later, Dr. Coker led a men’s weekend retreat where he taught from Hebrews 12:1-2, absolutely remarkable teaching, his notes of which I still have recorded in my Bible. 

Among Dr. Coker’s main points about Hebrews 12:1-2 was that we all struggle with conflicts about our purpose and priorities in life.  To lay aside every encumbrance is to ask

·  What hinders you?

·  What do you cling to?

·  What are you uneasy about?

·  What do you argue with yourself about?

·  What do you seek advice about?

To lay aside sin which entangles is to ask, “what sin is that?  Is there a life-dominating sin in your life?

Is envy or jealousy in your life among the answers to some of these questions?

To run with endurance the race set before us means several things.  The word “race” in the Greek is “agon” where the word “agony” comes from.  So the race of life (the Living Bible says “the particular race that God has set before us”) is meant to be an agonizing experience, not easy at all.  That’s why the Scripture adds the phrase ‘with endurance” (or patience) that definitely suggests that your life will be like an endurance run.  It takes great endurance to live a life of commitment to Christ.  Dr. Coker said that the lack of commitment to Christ is the greatest problem in the church.  Yet, God’s plan for you is to fulfill His purpose for your life.  You are fulfilling His purpose by daily being obedient to Him.  You fulfill the prophecy from Psalm 139:15—“You saw me before I was born and scheduled every day of my life before I began to breathe.” 

The race set before you…….what God has scheduled for you every day of your life…..may not be close to what you would have chosen.  Perhaps you would not choose the people God has placed around you or the location or circumstances you find yourself in, but always remember that you are His servant.  As a servant following in the footsteps of Christ, you must present your body and your life as a “living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) with the attitude “Here I am---I have come to do Your will” (Isaiah 6:8).  Stay focused on God’s plan and purpose for you, “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…….” (Hebrews 12:2). 

What has really challenged you from the study and reflection on these devotionals?  How would you describe your personal “running your race with endurance”?  What is your personal race teaching you?  Have much have you grown spiritually because of your personal race?  Offer praise for how God is using you and ask for His help in enabling you to finish your race with Him declaring “Well done, good and faithful servant”.