Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
“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…”

The great cloud of witnesses are listed in the heros of Hebrews 11. These men and women of God, were saints of the Old Testament who were commended for their faithfulness. They are not watching us, but they fought the good fight and persevered in their faithfulness. They are people who correctly we call heroes of faith.

We toss around the title hero much too quickly these days. These men and women deserve the title but if they were here right now, they would not consider themselves as heroes, just people that did the right thing for God.

The weight and sin spoke about in this scripture is the thing that causes us to stop running the race, or from running the race well. These things keep us from doing the right thing.

The race demands that we do away with “everything that hinders”—sin and whatever else threatens our relationship with God. Anything that will slow us down or trip us up must be cast off.

Paul said, “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

God designed the race and your race is not my race. Yes we are all heading in the same direction, but we each have our own race assignments.

Prayer:
Father, I lay everything that slows me down at your feet. Help me to run with endurance, to run with patience, to run with vigor the race you have given me!