WEIGHED DOWN

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. (Heb 12:1)



One of most physically challenging jobs I have ever done is installing a new roof on our first home in July of 1979. I was 29 at the time and doing quite a bit of running, so I was in pretty decent condition – but I still found the job taxing. Every morning for a couple of weeks, I would start in the morning, work on the roof all day, then go out for my daily run at the end of the day.


Several aspects of that work were difficult, but the part that I remember most was carrying the bundles of shingles up a ladder to get them onto the roof. A bundle of shingles weighs 50 to 60 pounds, and I would sling the bundle over one shoulder and climb up the fully extended ladder using one free hand. It was quite a workout, and by the end of the day, my legs were “dead”, yet I still went for my daily run. My legs felt like I was still carrying the bundle of shingles, and had it been a race, I would not have fared well.


Lately I have been feeling the same way mentally and spiritually…


The word translated “hinders” in Hebrews 12:1 means “a burden or a weight”. I suppose everyone from time to time goes through a period when they are weighed down and overwhelmed, and this could be from a variety of causes. Maybe it’s a personal or family member illness, too many kids' activities to run to, or the result of saying “yes” to too many projects.


For me, at this particular time – it’s my work. Now this isn’t a constant state of affairs, but right now I feel as though I am walking around with a 50 pound weight in each hand! It seems like there is too much to do in too little time (because there is). There are memos, company publications and industry articles to read. Then there are new products and processes to learn, technologies to apply, Facebook, and Twitter! There’s company software that “acts up” on a regular basis, a team to manage, and client meetings the client forgets to attend. What has been hindering me and weighing me down is not one big thing, but more like a hundred little things bundled together in one. I have been frustrated, anxious, and uncharacteristically unfocused.


My guess is that you can relate. In fact, you may be weighed down by a far greater burden.


Some burdens are laid upon us, and some we bring upon ourselves. Regardless, none of us is able to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” very well when we are hindered and weighed down. So what are we to do?


This morning I was drawn to the scripture referenced above, and then to the chapter that precedes it. Hebrews Chapter 11 – the “by faith” chapter – tells us of the great “cloud of witnesses” who carried a far heavier load than I could even imagine. How did they do it? By faith!


I realize now that I have made the same mistake that I have made far too many times – I have been relying on my own strength and competencies, instead of relying on God. My faith has been in ME, not in the Lord! My pride and self-sufficiency did me in again! Silly, isn’t it?


Scripture instructs us to “cast off” or “lay aside” our burdens, but where do we lay them? The answer is found in 1 Peter 5:7 – we are to cast them upon him, the all powerful everlasting God.


I feel better today – the burden seems lighter, and yet not a thing has changed in my world. All of the challenges I was “crying” about just a few paragraphs back are still there. In fact, I’m pretty sure that as I write, something else is developing. What is different today is who carries them. Today, I am humble before Him, recognizing my weakness and his strength. Today, I have cast all my anxieties upon him.


The next challenge? To leave them there.


May it be so…


In Christ –


John