“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
The Christmas season can be sad for some who have recently lost loved ones or are experiencing any type of loss. Even if it didn’t happen recently, this season has a way of rekindling the memories of relationships or lives of people we’ve lost.
The Christian life is compared to running a race. We are told to throw off everything that hinders us, so we can run freely. It’s easy to be distracted, entangled or weighed down by sorrows, losses or offenses suffered. I’ve learned that whatever is encumbering our race of faith, if we don’t throw it off, we end up wearing it like a heavy leaded garment. A heavily burdened and encumbered runner easily loses sight of the finish line.
One morning, as I was walking my dog, and looking at the holiday decor on each home, I started thinking about how sad Christmas must be for some who have lost loved ones. I found myself taking a count of my own losses. I summarized in my mind, how in four years, I lost my husband and two long time friends, followed by my adult son’s tragic and disabling motorcycle accident.
I found myself counting my sorrows and then I asked the Lord what He has to say about all this. The Holy Spirit’s answer came to me,
“Don’t wear your losses, celebrate your blessings.” I realized I was wearing all my losses at that moment, which weighed me down, when I could be celebrating the lives of those I’ve lost, as well as the many new friends that the Lord brought into my life. Just being inspired to write a meditation each day is another blessing that I celebrate as well.
Today’s scripture is telling us to throw off all that weighs us down, in order to persevere in running the race. Overthinking sorrow and grief can hinder and entangle us, because we end up walking around, wearing our losses like a heavy leaded garment.
We are meant to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Anyone who has run in a marathon knows that their focus should be toward the finish line, not on what is happening along the side lines. The Christian life is a race of perseverance, keeping our focus all the way to the finish line.
It’s an interesting thing about life; whatever trial we are facing, we will get through it, one step at a time. Whatever we’ve lost, whatever offenses we’ve suffered, instead of wearing our sorrows like a lead garment, we trade them in to Jesus in exchange for His rest, joy and peace that only He can give.
One day in the future, we will look back and wonder how we made it through certain trials. Jesus invited everyone saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
It’s not a one time thing, we have to keep bringing our burdens to Him, and through it all, Jesus adds a little more perfection to our faith, through every trial we go through.
I have received a special blessing from every lost loved one, and I celebrate their lives, and how they’ve enriched mine. Jesus is leading a great cloud of witnesses in heaven, who are looking down upon us, and cheering us on, all the way to the finish line. We make heaven rejoice when we continue to run, with perseverance, throwing off anything that hinders us. Jesus lightens every burden and gives us His joy and peace, along with an added spring in our step while we run this race.
Lord, remind each of us to throw off whatever is weighing us down today, and to celebrate every blessing in our lives, and we thank you for being the originator and perfecter of our faith. Amen