Part 1 - What's holding you back?

Ever see one of those verses you've seen a hundred times and all of a sudden a phrase pops into your head that makes you see it in an whole new way? Well, today I saw a facebook post by Sole2Soul Sisters that featured Hebrews 12:1 and the 'random thoughts' started to roll.

Hebrews 12:1 "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,"

Then the question hit me, "So just what is holding you back?"

I flashed back to a conversation I'd had with my running coach the night before. You see, after years of not running with much consistency, I am trying to make a come back to the sport....but it has been a LOT harder than I'd expected. Something keeps holding me back.

My first thought was, it's the weight. I'm carrying around 15 - 20 more pounds than I did just a few short years ago. To many, I don't look like I've added that much extra drag, but trust me - I can tell the difference.

I have to wonder if I'm not suffering from a little "drag" in my spiritual life as well. Oh, I may not look like I'm carrying extra weight, but over time little things build up...sort of like those extra pounds crept up on me. It's just a lot of "STUFF" that seems to hold me back.

"FlyLady" Marla Cilley talks about Stuff as Something That Undermines Family Fun. Can't go with a friend because I have to take care of my "stuff". Can't play with the kids right now cause I have to take care of my "stuff". Don't have time to spend in the Word or prayer cause I've got to take care of my "stuff". The list just goes on and on. Stuff can take many different forms, but it's usually something that won't matter at all 10 years from now. I'm pretty sure I won't be taking any of it to heaven with me.

I think I need to lighten up in more ways than one. Like many, I've fallen into the trap of filling my life with stuff that is holding me back from living the life God has planned. I want to live my life as a pipeline that God can use, not a clogged drain that tries to hold it all for myself.

I know that living "light" will make this race so much easier to run.

Next time, Part 2 - What's my excuse?