Moving forward in God’s purpose and destiny for your life is not possible until you remove those things that are keeping you down.

Imagine for a moment waking up in the morning. You start your usual routine. You make coffee, get dressed for your day, eat breakfast, get your lunch ready to take to work or school, get in your car, arrive at work for the day, head to the gym after work, meet your family or friends out for dinner, get home, relax for the remainder of the night, brush your teeth, and finally go to bed.

Now, imagine for a moment that you have 50 pounds of heavy chains wrapped around your entire body throughout the day. You may be able to get through your day, but you would certainly struggle, get tired quickly, perhaps get frustrated easily, get discouraged, and you would most certainly look silly. The chains do not belong.

The truth is that you cannot move forward weighed down in life. You must be willing to lay things down that don’t belong, that are harmful, and do not encourage you to move forward. In fact, in order to capitalize on momentum in moving forward, this is a must.

The author of Hebrews states that we must have endurance in moving forward. In order to have endurance, we must remove things and lay things down that hinder us. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “...let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus….”

A weight in this passage is a burden, something so heavy that it keeps an athlete from competing the way he or she should. What weights do you need to lay down? Could it be the weight of fear or hurtful words that were said to you?

The weight of insecurity or lies spoken about you? Perhaps it is the crowd you continually hang out with that is keeping you from growing in the Lord? To lay it aside literally means to put it down and push it far away beyond your reach.

What is the sin that so easily entangles you? Is it jealousy? Unforgiveness? Having a critical and judgmental spirit towards others? Pride? Lust? Perhaps doubt or even gossip? Whatever it is, the Lord loves you enough to tell you to lay it aside. Put it down and push it far away beyond your reach.

Then, and only then, can you move forward with joy and endurance. Lay aside the weights and sin in your life. They don’t belong. They harm you. They weigh you down. You have the authority and ability, as you look to Jesus, to surrender them in God’s presence. You will feel lighter and empowered to run forward with endurance!

LIFE APPLICATION

1. Worship the Lord: If you are able, get alone and kneel before Him. Offer yourself to Him, surrendering fully to Him. He accepts you fully and desires to heal you, comfort you, and encourage you today.

2. Meditate on these scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:14-16; Romans 6:14; Romans 12:1-2

3. Declare over your life: “I lay my weights and sin down at the feet of Jesus. I am forgiven and free to run forward with endurance!” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

4. Move forward: Allow the Holy Spirit to shed light on the weights that are keeping you stuck and paralyzed. Allow Him to expose sin. Lay them down, one by one. Remember, God loves you. Nothing can separate you from His love. Think about the Word of God. The process of laying aside what hinders you will be life changing!