And Away We Go

 

And Away We Go

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” 

     There are petty sins.  Simple indulgences that slow us down.  It is not that the goal is erased, effort to attain the priorities increase as we entertain conflicting desires on the way.  “Wait a minute.  Show your eyes here.  Play about the hands.”  Our Master’s voice is not ignored, we are just slow to obey.

     I see a mother corralling her children into a troop movement as I call it.  The morning’s calling realized, breakfast and getting dressed would seem like a cake walk.  However, at ages two and four, side tracking interests delay the game.  If not for the great shepherd, the kids would never funnel out the door.

     How many times must we be reminded of the overall goal?  “Come on.  Leave it.  Leave it.”  I remember my next door neighbor commanding his German Shepherd.  Tempted to pursue the neighbor’s squirrel, back to task was ordered.

     Discipline is to keep one’s eye on target.  Our Lord does not put blinders on us like a horse in a parade.  No, He lets us see all.  He trains so well.  Abraham marched through the valley of Sodom with singleness of heart.  After winning the battle, he was tempted to gain what the king offered.  In keeping with holiness, he denied ties with the unsavory.  He sojourned.  His reward came from His God not from earthly pleasures.

     What does this mean to us today?  Is God calling you?  Certainly, He is.

Ephesians 6:5 “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”

     We all work for someone.  They evaluate our work and hold it to a standard.  Even stay-at-home moms answer to their husbands.  Ultimately, this verse tells us God weighs our efforts.

     “Yes sir.  No sir.  As you ask.”  Does our immediate obedience put pressure on the boss to choose his commands rightly?  Is the work atmosphere marked by hierarchy knowing who is in charge and who is subordinate?  An alignment of wills is needed to accomplish agreed goals.  Efforts wasted mean inefficiency.

     Loose the things which so easily ensnare us.  There are little bits about the day.  Little delays, our slight wants, which challenge priorities.  Pride before others denies, “How high?”  Our masters in the flesh speak commands.  Do we streamline our day to put their priorities first?

     How we treat our bosses indicates how we obey our Lord.  We indeed are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.  Angelic and earthly eyes record our moves.  What are we known for?

     Would I hire myself?  Ouch!  If I were a company, would I want a worker such as me?

Disciplined workers know how to succeed.

1 Timothy 3:7 “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 

    Let us forego.  Let us run.  Quick obedience He insists.  Let us not take up His name in vain.

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