Hebrews 12:1-2 (amplified version) " Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [ who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its finisher [bringing it] to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." * all emphasis is mine

Let's look at a simpler translation (NLV)

Hebrews 12:1"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

Before I talk about what spoke to my heart from this verse today, I want to first take a look at the word encumberance in a few different contexts different contexts.

Strong's Concordance

Greek: ogkos: bulk, an encumbrance

Original Word: ὄγκος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ogkos
Phonetic Spelling: (ong'-kos)
Short Definition: a weight, burden
Definition: (properly: bulk, mass, hence) a weight, burden, encumbrance.

Business: An encumbrance is a financial burden, or a hindrance that can take several forms: mortgages, claims by other parties, court judgments, pending legal action, unpaid taxes, restrictive deed or loan covenants, easement rights of the neighbors, or zoning ordinances.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/encumbrance.html#ixzz3IKBcUdEq

The verse above says to run and throw aside every encumbrance, this means anything that is going to slow you down from reaching the finish line. This could be regret, resentment, unforgiveness, negative thoughts, past relationships, anger, feelings of hopelessness etc. It says later on in the sentence why we must let them go and intentionally throw them off and leave them behind. We must let them go for if we don't they will entangle us, cling to us. They will SLOW us down and the weight of what we are carrying will cause our balance to be shifted.

Today as I was reading this, a soft whisper whispered " Throw it off. Be intentional about it."

This world is full of distractions, full of opportunities to be slowed down on the race that God has set before us. Our role is not to worry or carry the weight ourselves, it is to throw the burden/circumstance into the hands of the one who can handle it (Our Heavenly Father) and be intentional about casting aside anything that will slow us down, and reminding ourselves that God will take care of any encumbrance that needs to be dealt with (something in process). Our job is to run patiently and with endurance and keep looking ahead to Jesus who is giving us the strength, the faith, and the motivation to cross the finish line. Let's let people see that we don't have to let things slow us down or keep us in constant turmoil. We can be free from the heavy burdens of this life.

God gives us the answer for when we are burdened about something in life: "Be intentional and look towards me. I alone can carry your burdens for I am the Author, Source and Finisher or your faith and only have I successfully defeated the things of this world. Come to me and I will give you rest. Give me your burdens. Throw off the excess baggage and run towards me. I am waiting here with open arms.

Suticases Lyric Video
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