Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

Dear God, when I first read this passage this morning it made me think about cycling and how much difference a few pounds makes on a bike. People will spend thousands of dollars on a bike that is 5 lbs. lighter than regular one. I’ve always joked that it’s cheaper for me to just lose the five pounds myself. But when your climbing hills, you can definitely feel the difference five or ten pounds makes.

Then I thought about a story I heard yesterday during a presentation on ethics. It was about a guy who committed over $2 billion (with a “b”) in hospital finance fraud. The irony was that he was a self-professed Christian who even had a Christian TV show. Apparently, however, at one point during his investigation, he started attending a black church with the goal of being more sympathetic to any potential black jurors (I think he lived in Alabama). At what did his sin encumber him so much that it overtook him? I wonder what he would say now about his life and the choices he made. Were you ever really his God?

Father, I know I have sin in my life. I know that I met mistakes, judge people, tell little or big lies, etc. all of the time. As I think about ethics and what this passage is telling me, I submit to your authority, ask for your grace, and worship you for your glory’s sake.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen