“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” - Hebrews 12:1-2
Several years ago I purchased a sports tank top for the first time. It was made of some kind of nylon-stretchy fabric, featured a racerback design, and had a built-in bra. It was a screaming neon yellow color which gave me the appearance of having a bit of a tan when up against my skin. I liked how comfortable it felt when I tried it on and I was sure it made me look like an athlete of the highest order, even if running a marathon has never entered my wildest dreams.
The first time I wore it, it was a humid day. Still, I liked how it moved with me and hugged me close with my every twist and turn. All in all, I was pleased with my purchase. The challenge came later in the day when I wanted to take it off. In all the humidity, the man-made material had fused to my body and would not budge. The entire upper half of the tank felt like a straight-jacket and all of my wriggling and contorting only seemed to bind it further. I pulled. I yanked. I panicked a bit. I struggled endlessly trying to free an arm in this useless effort. I was a tangled, bound-up mess and I felt completely trapped.
I remembered that sports top—which I eventually claimed victory over—as I was thinking about how quickly even the smallest amount of sin can ensnare and entangle us. Who hasn’t allowed a sugar cube of grumpiness to invade their attitude and before you know it, you’re trying to untangle a mess of words with someone you love that should never have been spoken? Sin can be subtle and very enticing. It may even give a quick perk to those who try it on. But its benefits are fleeting and its consequences pervasive. And, more importantly, sin wrangles us into a mess that holds us back from God’s purpose and plans for our lives.
Furthermore, the Bible tells us to throw off everything that hinders our faith walk. This is where every one of us could use a change of clothes. Anger, selfishness, insecurity, pride, envy, self-doubt, worry, fear, busyness, procrastination…the list is long! It’s time to take inventory and ask ourselves “what’s holding us back?” What’s obstructing our total freedom in living fully for Christ? What would our lives look like if we finally let go of our bad habits and unwanted baggage that weigh us down? It may not be easy to lay aside and throw off these behaviors, but it is possible.
It begins with prayer and a simple, repentant request for help. And then, with confidence that God will support our desire to serve Him, we start to practice—not perfectly, but consistently—new ways of dealing with life. God can untangle our messes, no matter how entangled our circumstances. New attitudes. New behaviors. New depth and freedom in our faith.
“God can untangle our messes, no matter how entangled our circumstances.”
Fixing our eyes on Jesus we can claim the freedom He gave His life for so that we can live our lives unhindered for Him and run the race set before us.