Wherefore seeing [since] we also are compassed [surrounded by] about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us – Hebrews 12:1.

God has a plan and a purpose for every one of us. He wants each of us to run our race in line with His plan. For us to complete our race, we must lay aside the weights that hold us back from accomplishing what God has called us to do. We must identify the weights, and it can be easy for some and difficult for others. A weight can be something as simple as watching television when we should be spending time with the Lord, either in prayer or reading and studying His Word. The internet can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can distract one from appreciating blessings by consuming hours on social networking sites and leaving insufficient time for prayer.

The believer has been warned not to put any other god before Him.  If one never has time for prayer or reading God’s Word but uses all of the spare time either watching television or on social media, they have made them their god. Just as we want God to be faithful to us, we also should be loyal to Him by submitting ourselves to prayer and reading His Word.

God has a plan and purpose for each of us, and to align ourselves with His plan, we must be willing to submit ourselves to it and spend time with Him, so that we may understand what His plan is for us. Sometimes we allow our tests and trials to become our weights; rather than standing on the Word of God, we’re more focused on what we’re going through.

We shouldn’t deny reality, but we shouldn’t allow reality to stop our focus on the race. We have already been forewarned that before entering into heaven, we would have many tribulations (Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God – Acts 14:22).  This wasn’t just for the disciples of the Bible but for every believer. So, we know as believers, tribulation will come; we know as long as we live, life will also bring issues. We must examine ourselves to see what weight we have allowed to hinder us from running our race and reaching the finish line.

We must realize our race is not a marathon, nor a sprint; our race will span our entire life, so we must run with perseverance. Perseverance means to have the ability to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint. Perseverance keeps going when others have quit. Perseverance is not deterred by the mistakes we make; it keeps getting back up and moving forward, continually trying again. Each day we should purpose in our hearts to be more faithful than the day before, more prayerful than the day before.

Retiring for bed and realize you didn’t read your Bible, purpose in your heart, you will not let another day go by and you didn’t read your Bible. You are in a race for the promised land, and Satan is going to throw everything at you to keep you out of the race and from reaching your destiny.  Just as faithful as we are to our jobs and businesses, let’s be just as steadfast in the things that pertain to God.

No matter what we encounter during the course of our race,  and we will have oppositions, we can finish ( I can do all things through Christ, which strengthen me, Philippians 4:19).  When we say “I can’t”, we are speaking contrary to the Word of God; “can’t” shouldn’t be in our vocabulary. Whenever it comes to mind to discuss something contrary to the Word of God, quote a Scripture that opposes the thought. Don’t allow words that contradict God’s Word to come out of your mouth. You can’t stop the thought from coming to your mind, but you can stop the words that would be spoken about that thought. Let’s pick up the baton and run the course that God has planned for us, and let us make a decision not only to run the race but to finish it.