A Sign for You

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT).

If you ever want to finish this race of life well, then you are going to have to let go of the thing that keeps you from running a good race. What is the thing that holds you back? What in your life weighs you down? What is hindering your progress? If you ever needed a sign or a wake-up call, then this verse is for you! In this verse two words jump right out and hit you in the face–weight and sin. Sin will not only weigh you down. It will drown you and hold you back from discovering God's potential for your life. You will miss the promise of His blessing that is just within your grasp.

Do you have anything in your life that weighs you down and holds you back? It can be anything from a sinful habit to a relationship that is not healthy. A weight in your life can also be your need to please someone or the need to meet someone's impossible expectation. Perhaps you are allowing a hurt from your past to dictate your life, and hold you in emotional bondage. Whatever your sin–whatever your unhealthy relationship–whatever your emotional pain, you are weighed down by its oppressive yoke. Jesus Christ waits to take it away if you will let it go. There is freedom in Him. He has extended an offer to you. Allow the signs that Jesus brings into your life to point you in the right direction–toward His potential and promise. Never settle for less than the best that He has for you. Never allow fear of letting go of that weight hold you back.

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In The Shack by William Young, Mack stands on the end of a dock with Jesus, and stares at the surface of the lake. Jesus asks Mack to take his hand, and step off the dock, but Mack can't move forward, and trust God to keep him from sinking. “So, why do I have so much fear in my life?” he asks. Jesus' answer cuts to the core of the issue. “Because you don't believe. You don't know that I love you. The person who lives by his fear will not find freedom in my love.” Stepping off the dock with Jesus means no weight will drown you and pull you under. Trusting God and letting go is your freedom. You will find the weightless joy of freedom in His love. Those hurdles in your race of life will pass easily and swiftly beneath you.

The weight of sin–the weight of an unhealthy relationship–the weight of grief that has never had a chance to heal–the weight of emotional bondage that has defined your life–the weight of oppression in your heart …..these hold you back from discovering God's potential and promise for your life. Let go of the weight, and step off the dock into His arms. Not only will you walk on water with Him, you will soar weightlessly in that promise that at this moment seems just beyond your grasp. Letting go of that weight will be the most certain thing you have ever done.