Hebrews 12:1
…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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
It was a sweltering summer night last year when we were doing the bed-time drill. Our house’s temperature is always the extreme side of what you don’t want during the given season – frigid in the winter, hot in the summer. It just saves money, you know?
Well, Liza, our youngest daughter has an entourage of blankets that more closely resemble torn up tissue than blankets. She takes her collection of blankets everywhere and refuses to sleep without all of them.
On this particular night, she was distraught because she was too hot to sleep. My recommendation was that she ditch the blankets for a night so her body could cool off a little. Her response was, “I can’t sleep without my blankets!” If she only knew that the simple solution to her rest was to remove the blankets that were stifling her body!
Here are a couple questions that came to mind that I think are worth considering:
- Are there things in my life that are stifling my relationship with Jesus – any blankets that need to be removed?
- Is there anything “that hinders and entangles” my life in such a way that I’m not able to see Jesus and live in a way that honors him?
The spiritually stifling blankets are as diverse as the people on the planet, but I believe they are rooted in lies that we agree with and our own pride that we’re able to sufficiently meet all of our own needs.
When I hear stories, watch the culture we’re in, and interact with people, here is a short (and incomplete) list of things I hear/observe that I think may need adjusting or removing:
- Busyness – There’s so much to do that there’s no time to be still
- Keeping up with the Jones’s – I can’t miss this promotion, my kids can’t miss this event/rehearsal/practice or they won’t succeed, I need to get this _____ because it makes me look important, etc.
- “I can’t live without ______ person, or I need somebody else to fulfill me.”
- I can do it on my own. I don’t need others to help me.
- My mistakes have disqualified me.
- I can’t reveal my weaknesses and imperfections or I’ll be rejected.
My simple prayer that you would begin to remove the blankets so you can find rest and purpose in Jesus. Jesus will give you all you need to experience the full life he promised (Jn. 10:10)!