Often times while walking, I notice debris such as cups and bottles throughout my neighborhood that I assume have been thrown out by passers-by. The other morning, in my 2nd mile, I zoomed in on a large size pizza box. Almost always, I simply overlook the debris but that morning I had such a strong urge to pick up the box as it was such a trashy eyesore where it was laying.
Several thoughts went fleeting through my head as I made a conscious decision to leave the large pizza box there. While it burdened me to see the neighborhood in that condition, with several miles to go, I would add unnecessary stress to my workout by attempting to “fix” the problem. I would be unable to continue my stride with the large box in my hand. It wasn’t trash day so I would have to stop my walk and leave my route in order to go to a home nearby to deposit the box in a trash can which was most likely positioned in the back yard (I was 2 miles away from my home). I could be attacked by dogs. I could be viewed as an intruder. I know the decision to leave it there was the right one for me.
Isn’t life like that? Each of us has been given a race, a walk, a path to follow. Maintaining the gift of discernment is crucial to ensuring we don’t carry things that weren’t assigned to us by God. Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight…………and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Understand that the weights we are admonished to, “lay aside,” are UNNECESSARY weights. They are burdens – not given by God to build our faith – but unnecessary burdens taken up by us that will hinder our walk in faith.
I ask you to consider what you are carrying today. Even with the best of intentions you may be taking on things that deter you from the specific assignment God has orchestrated for you. If you are fortunate, to not get completely side tracked, you will at a minimum be delayed at reaching your intended destination and this may have rippling side effects.
We all have our crosses to bear. Stay connected to God through prayer and the reading of His word to ensure you only carry what is assigned to and necessary for you! Commit today to put down the unnecessary weight that’s weighing you down.
Good observation . I make an extra effort to put things in order. All my life I have been organized to the point that it can sometimes stress me out. My siblings never see the difference in closing a door or turning a light off like I have.
My thoughts: , if eveyone picked up the pizza box then the walk will have a smoother path for the next runner.