Running the race

Running the race of faith is like running a marathon. Lets look at it like running a marathon through Boston. Now we wouldn't run the marathon with layers of clothes on and a heavy winter coat with rolls of coins in our pockets. We would want to shed all that and want to wear just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and running shoes. So that way we can run easier. So lets look at Hebrews 12:1-2. Hebrews 12:1-2 says "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This says that we need to lay aside every weight and sin so that we can run the race and look to Jesus. But what are weights and sins? A weight is the amount that something weights, heaviness, a heavy object used to hold or pull something down, an over power force. A weight in life could be video games, or t.v., or computers. Too much of these can pull us down and away from the one were supposed to look to. Now what are sins? A sin is breaking a religious law or a law of God. To do something which is morally wrong. What are some more sin? Some of them could be doing drugs, smoking, not listing to your parents and so on. Now when I am on the computer or watch t.v. I am ignoring God and weighing myself down and not running the race that I should be. But when I am listening for God and reading my Bible and praying, and going to church on Sunday's and during the week I am running the race to keep my eyes set on the goal. It's like my pastor told me one when I went to see him to learn to preach. He said that I was running the race by walking to church to see him, to go on Sunday's, during the week and finally to pray for others. All of these are helping me to run the race of faith. Jesus wants us to lay aside every weight so that we are spiritually thin. So thin that we can run without any problems. He also wants us to give up sins that are hurting us. They can be a number of stuff. What sins do you have that is stopping you from running the race to Jesus? What is stopping you from looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith? We as Christians need to lay aside every weight and give up every sin that is hurting us so we can run to Jesus, so we can look to HIM.