Original Entry: March 3, 2008
McMinnville, OR
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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. Hebrews 12:1
Cotton is death.
This is a phrase I heard years ago when it comes to surviving in the elements. Cotton fabric absorbs all moisture and holds it close to your body. In extreme cold situations this can lead to a reduction in body temperature, hypothermia, and even death. Moist cotton creates added friction resulting in blisters on the feet, jock itch and, over time, skin tags. When I go into the mountains I leave cotton in the dresser.
I sternly warned my friend Jared of this before our Mt. Whitney-in-a-day climb of 2001, but he shrugged it off as nonsense. However, after losing all ten of his toenails I think he would also agree that cotton is death, at the very least for his black toe nails! Not only did he not listen to my clothing requirements but he also turned a deaf ear to the research I had done about what to carry in our packs.
“Go light.” I told him, “As light as you possibly can.”
At first I thought he was joking when he loaded a one gallon plastic container of Red Vines licorice! My pack consisted of a water pump, bladder, extra pair of socks, rain jacket and the bare minimum of food. His held the 5 pound container of licorice and several articles of cotton clothing among other nonessential items. Jared weighed a good 50 pounds less than me but he made it to the summit a full hour behind me and to the bottom in a whopping two hours after I arrived. A major part of his slowness was his unpreparedness and the weight of his load.
Jared learned an important lesson that day to “throw off everything that hinders.”
This passage gives us an excellent equation to solving the problem of perseverance in our Christian life.
Throw off what slows you down!
The first variable in the equation of perseverance is this “Throw (ing) off (of) everything that hinders.” When I think of things that hinder men I think of other men who weigh good men down. The godly man should have an inner circle of friends that will speed him up and not slow down or tear him down.
Second a man must address his sin. He must take his secret life public. He must repent. James 5:16 tells men to, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Sin is the snare that traps a man and prevents him from walking in the footsteps of Christ. Sin is stepping on an untied shoelace (Ephesians 4:27). When sin strikes, it hits hard and fast causing a man to fall on his face.
Face plant faith is not persevering faith. Deal with your “sin that so easily entangles” now before it’s too late. Bring your dark side into the light (1 John 1:6).
Men, ask these questions. What unhealthy relationships are slowing down my race? Who have I been carrying for too long? What am I doing with my life? How am I spending my time? Where am I pursuing a plan other than Christ’s? What pain is slowing me down? Where do I need healing in my life?
