CCECYOUTH.COM

A couple of months ago, Rowena and I moved to a new [to us] home.  We made the big move from East Gosford to East Gosford .  Even though it was only a kilometre away, I’ve got to tell you – moving house is not that much fun!!

When it comes to packing up and moving house, there are only two types of people in the world.  You’re either a hoarder or a chucker. I’m definitely a hoarder. However, the problem with being a hoarder is that you just have heaps of stuff that is junk!  Absolute rubbish!! For me things that Rowena sees as junk are what I like to call ‘triggers’. I know they are junk.  But as I look at things from when I was younger these things are ‘triggers’ that remind me of fond [& sometimes not-so-fond] memories. The only reason I remember the memories and stages in my life is because of these triggers. So I actually struggle to throw them out.

But while we were packing Rowena said to me that I needed to throw off everything that hinders. A clear reference to Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witness, 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. [NIV]

Throwing off everything that hinders isn’t just talking about sin, because it says: “throw off everything that hinders AND the sin”.

So the stuff that I’m tempted to keep isn’t necessarily sin, but it’s still clutter.  They’re things that get in the way of running the race that is the Christian life.

So I’m really glad that Row quoted that verse to me.  It was a hard word for me because I do like to have memories ‘triggered’, but I need to get rid of stuff in my life that is going to slow me down.

Can I encourage you to get rid of stuff in your life that is going to slow you down? I’m not just talking about sin [though do get rid of that as Ephesians 4-5 showed us on PHAT]. I’m talking about things that may be good in and of themselves.  But when they get in the way of living the Christian life… we are to throw them off!

Not sure what it is for you??
Maybe…
TV
Xbox
Soccer
Boyfriend
Magazines
Not sure…

As you throw off everything that hinders, be encouraged to run the race with perseverance and to fix your eyes on Jesus.