“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…” (Hebrews 12:1).

My pastor preached on this passage this past Sunday. In this passage, the author has just finished extolling the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 (the Hall of Fame of Faith). He goes on to say, “therefore,” which looks back at chapter 11, and then offers the rationale “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” with the thought being that all those who have gone before are in heaven cheering us on and encouraging us. He follows with the directive that we should throw off everything that hinders us in the race that has been marked out for us.

My older son hiked the Appalachian Trail many years ago. He started out with all the gear that he thought he would need, but it did not take long until he followed the lead of those who had gone before on this trail and began to shuck anything he didn’t absolutely need to lighten his load to be sure he could finish. As he evaluated his walk every day, he determined what was unnecessarily weighing him down, and he ditched it..

This is a good analogy. Paul used the analogy of a race. My son completed a long trek. Both are significant endeavors that require intention, planning, fitness, and continuous assessment and adjustment to be able to finish well.

I have realized that I tend to go on “autopilot” and do not even realize when some of my habits and activities get in my way, even those that anyone would consider to be good things. By examination we can determine if those things are the best ways to live our lives both for ourselves and for those who are watching us. For example, I like to play all the various word games on my phone. I rationalize that they are good for brain health. However, when they become an obsession that takes time away from other better things, then I need to stop and reassess.

Using the passage from Hebrews 12:1, my pastor called our congregation to a 21-day period of fasting and prayer. Fasting can be a temporary cessation of anything, not just food. Prayer with fasting then enables us to examine and understand what God’s better plan is for us and to exercise the fruit of the spirit of self-control in the healthiest way. As a disciple of Christ, while not running a footrace or attempting a trek, I am on the move. I am headed to my destination, and as I travel, I want to keep my eyes fixed on the prize and shed anything that hinders my ability to finish well. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

 “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

In Christ,

Judy