A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unstoppable: Running the Race You Were Born To Win (p. 95). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
We really do!!!
Christine says, “In fact, we need to regularly take inventory because it’s surprising how quickly the things we once threw off can come back and cling to us once again. So take a moment right now. Pause and ask yourself, ‘What do I need to throw off in order to run well?’ The list could be endless. Perhaps you are carrying resentment or selfishness or pride that is hindering your witness at your job. What about unresolved anger that is hurting your relationships? Or a lack of confidence and a spirit of defeat that hinder your ability to make wise choices as you run your race? Or a lack of financial planning and discipline that hamper your ability to be generous with your resources, even though you would love to be? Or unresolved issues from the past that are harming your parenting skills? Does deep-rooted anger continue to resurface in your marriage, causing you to say things you later regret? Does insecurity about your abilities or looks cause you to be judgmental and critical of others?”
She goes on, “Are you tethered to negative things such as destructive friends, favorite sins, unhealthy lifestyles, or negative habits? Are you too enamored with positive things such as financial gain, career success, or plentiful leisure time that hold you back from giving the time and energy to run the race God calls you to run?
“Whatever it is that holds you back, throw it off. Live free from your past mistakes, hurts, and misconceptions. ‘The old has gone, the new is here!’ the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17. That applies to the refuse of your past — and to the hope for your future.”
She then says, “Here is the simple truth: We cannot go where we are going without leaving where we have been. So ask yourself, ‘What must I leave behind in order to serve God with my whole life?’ In the divine relay, God is looking for runners who, like Paul, will say: ‘Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.’ Philippians 3:7 – 8
“Imagine the freedom that will come when you are willing to lose that garbage for the surpassing greatness of becoming an unstoppable runner in the work God calls you to do! Anticipate the joy of moving forward into the future he has for you! Toss away the garbage from your past and eliminate any way to go back. Make a defining decision of unhindered commitment to Jesus Christ and his cause, and step out in faith.”
Will you do that today? Will you?
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