The Benchmark to Victory

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 

My chosen class in track was the 100 yard dash. Those who ran in any track class always tried to be as 'light as possible.' When we dressed out for any practice or meet, the first order in the locker room was to remove anything that would add weight. To run any race with weight would have been unthinkable and a sure bet for being last across the finish line.

Sin can weigh heavily upon us in so many ways. The Bible tells us it's wages is death (Romans 6:23). We often try to justify reasons to carry that weight as we push off the chocks and attempt to head down the track. It can wear us down to a slow walk toward the finish line.

The race can only be run by renouncing our sin and looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. That means seeking help for our addictions, tempers, or ending any illicit relational involvement, physical or emotional, outside of the one one we committed to. To repent means to turn away from the sins that cling and so easily hinders us.

The Lord Jesus Christ makes the offer to take His 'yoke,' or burden, onto ourselves for it is lighter than our sins. He says in doing so to learn from Him for in His humility and humble heart we will find rest for our souls. He says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:29).

We're all in it for the long-haul, whether in Christ, or not. We can run with what we've chosen to weigh ourselves down with or make the choice to trade in the weight of sin that so easily besets us for a burden that is lighter than light. If we want to be quick off the chocks, running with endurance, then dropping our weights and taking on His light yoke is the sure benchmark to victory.

Ken