During our last pre-teen devotional we discussed a problem most of us face as Christians. We like to hold on to the burdens that weigh us down. We struggle, because we don’t turn everything over to Jesus. It may be bad habits, bad company or any other sin in which we are entangled.
To demonstrate this with the kids in an object lesson they raced across the gym floor. The first time they had to drag heavy buckets behind them. The next time they were able to run free of that weight which was much easier to accomplish.
That is exactly what the writer of Hebrews was talking about in chapter 12 when he said, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…”
He goes on to tell us why we can endure, “Consider him (Jesus) who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
We can endure, because Jesus endured so much more. He knows exactly how we feel in the smallest temptations and struggles and is ready to help us along the way. All we have to do is allow Him to help and fix our eyes on Him. Let go of what is weighing you down and give it all to Jesus!