Throw Off Everything that Hinders...

Hebrews 12:1-3

"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. 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.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "

The text is too important to skip over.  Sorry for my absence.  I have found myself entangled for the past month, and it wasn't until this morning that I have broken Gloriously free.  This time of year is hard for me.  Very hard.  Two years ago this Christmas Eve my Daddy passed away suddenly, doing what He loved the most... he had just finished writing his first sermon for Zion Baptist Church.  My heart has been weighted down with grief since his birthday in October.  I have faked being okay well, except probably for the people who walk daily with me through life.  Yet I have handled my emotional drain completely the wrong way.

I have spent the past two months being busy with anything and everything I can imagine.  My feet ran from the second they hit the floor to the time I collapsed exhausted into bed at night.  Most have been good things, things for the church and my family.  A few not great things (let's just say for a girl who hates shopping, I shopped a little too much last month).  I had created an impossible to do list, and I was actually accomplishing it.  I looked pretty good on the outside.  But I was wrong.

I was running a race that was not marked out for me.  My eyes were not fixed on Jesus, but on my to do list and whatever I could do to make my church and family happy.  Hebrews said that Jesus endured the cross for me and I was giving him my time, but NOT what He wants most of all... my heart.  You see, I didn't have time to "Cease Striving and Know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10)

Galatians 3:1-3 contains a harsh rebuke for the church.  Paul is blasting them for believing that they must win over Christ's love and salvation through works.  He asked them, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"  We don't please God through our many works, we please Him through our faith in Jesus Christ. He is most happy when we obey the greatest of all commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthews 22:35-37). 

Paul clarifies the relationship between faith that is pleasing to God and works we are to do for Him in Ephesians:  "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (2:10).   We are to "do" things for Him, but ONLY what He has prepared for us before the foundation of the world.  When you are seeking Him, you don't have to take on everything, but just what HE tells you to do.

Do you feel burdened by life?  Are you exhausted?  Have you  "grown weary and lost heart"?  Maybe you are doing things that the Lord had not set out for you to do.  He doesn't want tired bodies, but sold out hearts.  Join with me in praying every morning, "Lord, I just want to do what you have prepared for me in advance today.  I don't want to add anything more or do anything less.  Please give me discernment to walk in You path for me, grant me courage to obey the leading of your voice, may you be glorified in everything I say do and speak.  My time is yours.  My family is yours.  My heart is yours.  In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen."