surrounded by such a huge crowd of
witnesses to the life of faith, let us
strip off every weight that slows us
down, especially the sin that so
easily trips us up...and let us run
with endurance the race God has
set before us...we do this by keeping
our eyes on Jesus, the champion
who initiates and perfects
our faith..."
Hebrews 12:1-2a
the moment when guilt consumes.
the moment when regret stirs.
the moment when bitterness rises.
and the moments could go on
and on.
thoughts.
especially
about the past.
past mistakes.
past failures.
past wrongs.
some done to you.
others done by you.
and in all reality,
it doesn't
matter which
direction the
mistake or
failure or
wrong goes.
and that is by
no means minimizing
what might have been done
to you or by you,
for cause and effect are real.
some things cannot be undone.
some things cannot be taken
back.
yet all can be
forgiven.
yet even once forgiveness
takes place, the past can be
oh so hard to leave in
the past.
in moments of
weakness or
stress or pain
the enemy will
try to plant those
thoughts of regret
and guilt and fear
and failure into your
mind and heart in an
attempt to drag you down.
he knows he cannot separate
you from God's love and
protection,
so instead he
goes for your
joy and peace
and contentment
and laughter and
love and freedom.
I know, for I have been there.
and still go there too often.
yet greater is He who is in me and you
than he who is in the world!
and are these thoughts of despair
over things long past,
over things you cannot control,
over things no longer changeable,
not the very weights that slow us down?
and even those things of today
and of tomorrow over which
we have no control
can be weights able to
bring us to a standstill
and near paralysis as we
attempt, at least in
thought, to fix and
arrange and number
and alphabetize and
make sure everyone
is well and happy.
and I know from experience
that this is a waste of the precious
moments and energy which are a
gift from God.
and the words of Abba as spoken by Paul
ring loud and clear and true:
"...and let us run with endurance
the race God has set before us...
we do this by keeping our eyes
on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects
our faith..."
looking forward not backward.
in His strength.
in His Spirit.
and the anticipation
which living on tiptoes
in the wind and fire
of His Spirit will
bring joy and light
which casts a glow
over every dark
corner in this
world today.
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