Contemplative Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:1 (New Living Translation)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Before cutting the grass I take the gas can to the gas station and fill it. I buy oil for the lawn mower engine. I put the fluids in the lawn mower. I change clothes and make sure to wear the old shoes that are already stained green by freshly cut grass. I…

Simple. Prepare first. Take off the “dress clothes” (does anyone use that phrase any more?) that will slow me down and put on old work clothes. Remove the things that will hinder my efforts.

Living for God everyday. Prepare first and always be prepared. Toss off those things that slow me down. Stop hating. Stop envying. Put on love and patience. Now I am ready to run for God.

Caution: I can spend years and years and years stripping off every weight that slows me down. And I won’t run a step for God during those years. Nope. Strip off what I can today and run as much as I can today. Keep those weights off. Strip off more tomorrow. Strip off more right now and more in five minutes and more this afternoon and…

Please God, help me. I am running as fast as I can right now. Help me to keep stripping off weight every step of the way.