Mindy Lee Hopman

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… Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)

Let Go

Gymnasts practice bar routines with weights attached to their ankles. Ankle weights are heavy and burdensome. When my daughter was a young gymnast, I would watch her work hard, struggle, and sweat to whip her legs around the uneven bars in order to do the normal routine. Then she would take them off and complete the same routine. The burdens made her stronger, however, once she took them off, she felt free!

Aspects of our lives that do not bring God glory are like ankle weights.

The sin we carry holds us back from experiencing true freedom in Christ. Maybe you are harboring a grudge or you need to mend a broken relationship. Maybe an old habit or a bad choice you made is holding you back, or maybe it is the worry we carry about our children, current situations in our world, or the end of the school year as we move through a pandemic. 

I held onto anxiety for a long time. It felt good to finally give it away. 

All of these things are heavy and are meant to hold us back from experiencing freedom.   

Here is the good news, Jesus came to this world to live and die for you and for me. On the cross, He became the final sacrifice and took our sin once and for all. He took our worries. He took our concerns. He even took our anxiety. 

It is your choice to pick it up again or to keep it on the cross. 

You have experienced obstacles and hard times, which have strengthened you for your race, and for what you will face in the future. 

The ankle weights were heavy, but they gave her strength to endure the race. They served a purpose in their time, and once she was free she flew as she whipped her legs around those uneven bars. 

Find Your Lane

Every single one of us has struggles. Stories about other people’s lives draw in our listening ears. No two stories are the same, even though we all have the same Author. 

As we go through tests and trials our stories unfold which become our testimonies of how we came to know Christ.

Several years ago, Beth Moore told a beautiful story about a boy who competed in the Special Olympics:

He was so excited about running his race.  The gunshot went off and he took off running. Everyone else was having so much fun running all around him,  while he kept a slow and steady pace, he came in last.  However, when the medals were awarded, he received first place! Everyone wondered how he received the gold medal when he crossed the finish line last.  The judge’s answer was easy.  He was the only one who stayed in his lane.  The rest of the runners were disqualified.  ~ Deeper Still

You and I have to know what our lane is, stay in it, and run our race well.

God marked a race out specifically for you.  It does not look like your friend’s race, or your sister’s race, or your mom’s race. It is yours. You can’t win your race by running in someone else’s lane.

Each one of our stories reveals a sense of brokenness, and each story contains a ray of hope.

What is your story? But more importantly, how will your story help others see God?

Paul reached out to the people in each church he visited to encourage them to get back into their lanes and stay there:

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7 (NASB1995) 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)

When you stay in your lane you may run your race well.

Fix Your Eyes

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)

Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the Author of your story. 
Lay down the weights, or sin, you carry. You are stronger because of them, but they need to go! 
Find your lane. AND Let’s GO! 

Experience Joy

Run your race in His presence and you will experience fullness of joy!

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NASB1995)

Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are.  Thank You for being the Author of each of our stories.  May the tests we go through become our testimony for how we came to know You.  Every situation in life draws us deeper into our relationship with You.  May we fix our eyes on You as we find our lanes so we may run our race well and experience the joy of victory in the end!  In the precious name of Jesus’ I pray, Amen

Reflect & Respond:

• Is something holding you back from experiencing fullness of joy?
• What do you need to let go?  Or, what do you need to do?

I’m praying for you to find your lane and run,

Basking in His Light

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