"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 JESUS...."
Hebrews 13:1-2a
My husband and I read this chapter for devotions recently and I was reviewing it again today as it really convicted me then.
Lately I've been very busy worrying and being selfish and lets just say that doesn't make a great person to get around with.
The first thing that convicted me was that I was not laying aside EVERY weight and EVERY sin that was ensnaring me. Instead I was trying to fix things in my own strength and ignoring the sins in my life. I would give my burdens up to the Lord and almost instantly try to bear them again in my own strength. I would be upset and know that the battle between the flesh and the spirit was raging but would refuse to humble myself and be corrected by the Lord. Pride, the biggest weed in the garden of my heart, has made it difficult to see what exactly Jesus has been trying to show me and perfect in me. I've been so busy with "life" and "me" that I've forgotten to walk in the Spirit (or have been ignoring the gentle corrections of the Spirit).
Why is it so important to lay aside every weight and sin? Because we have a race to run and it requires endurance. This race is oftentimes hard, long, and tiring; its the race of life, the life Jesus has for each and ever one of us (and it'll look different for each and every one of us). This race has its hills and valleys, its dark times and its glory but its impossible to truly run it for the glory of the Lord unless we're unencumbered by the stresses of life and the sins of our hearts. That's why we must first lay everything aside and THEN look to Jesus! We cannot run this race alone...and we don't have to! We, I, must keep my eyes on Him, "the author and finisher of my faith". Without Him I am nothing...truly! I am so thankful for His grace and forgiveness, even when I've strayed from the path He has wanted me on!!
So that's the latest thing the Lord's been teaching me...what has He been doing in your life?
Learning to delight in Jesus, every moment of every day!
Hannah :)
Hebrews 13:1-2a
My husband and I read this chapter for devotions recently and I was reviewing it again today as it really convicted me then.
Lately I've been very busy worrying and being selfish and lets just say that doesn't make a great person to get around with.
The first thing that convicted me was that I was not laying aside EVERY weight and EVERY sin that was ensnaring me. Instead I was trying to fix things in my own strength and ignoring the sins in my life. I would give my burdens up to the Lord and almost instantly try to bear them again in my own strength. I would be upset and know that the battle between the flesh and the spirit was raging but would refuse to humble myself and be corrected by the Lord. Pride, the biggest weed in the garden of my heart, has made it difficult to see what exactly Jesus has been trying to show me and perfect in me. I've been so busy with "life" and "me" that I've forgotten to walk in the Spirit (or have been ignoring the gentle corrections of the Spirit).
Why is it so important to lay aside every weight and sin? Because we have a race to run and it requires endurance. This race is oftentimes hard, long, and tiring; its the race of life, the life Jesus has for each and ever one of us (and it'll look different for each and every one of us). This race has its hills and valleys, its dark times and its glory but its impossible to truly run it for the glory of the Lord unless we're unencumbered by the stresses of life and the sins of our hearts. That's why we must first lay everything aside and THEN look to Jesus! We cannot run this race alone...and we don't have to! We, I, must keep my eyes on Him, "the author and finisher of my faith". Without Him I am nothing...truly! I am so thankful for His grace and forgiveness, even when I've strayed from the path He has wanted me on!!
So that's the latest thing the Lord's been teaching me...what has He been doing in your life?
Learning to delight in Jesus, every moment of every day!
Hannah :)
