Saturday Spiritual Uplift - Don't Get Weighed Down

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, NLT) 

Weight is a word that brings scales and a particular number to mind for each of us . . . usually. As the years pass by it gets harder to move that number downward. I’m looking forward to spring and sunshine, but not spring and summer clothes, since I still haven’t managed to peel off all my extra pounds.

However, the extra weight our bodies carry isn’t the only thing that can weigh us down. While I like to think my house is at least clean, I still battle clutter. After going back to college full-time for a year and working full-time for a year, when I was used to being a homemaker, my focus had shifted. All those projects I’ve been meaning to conquer have piled up. Though I often buy e-books to avoid taking up more shelf space, beautiful covers with intriguing titles still call to me. Pretty beads at the craft store get my imagination fired up for jewelry projects. Soon it’s easy to have more things than I have places to store.

Next thing I know, I need to buy more containers for my extra stuff. This is just one example. Actually, it’s the old stuff that sits in the basement . . . and . . . cupboards . . . and drawers that hasn’t been looked at in years, which takes up space that I probably need to pitch.

What is weighing you down today? Having an overabundance of stuff to take care of which

could be given away or thrown out, is only a fraction of what gets in the way of my living a lighter life. Worries, when I don’t willingly give them away to the Lord, weigh me down a great deal and make the lines in my forehead deeper. Not forgiving someone else or letting go of my past mistakes burdens me as well. Am I trusting that the Lord and His plans can overcome my past with His grace? Or not? In my own little defiant way I insist on letting these things burden me at times rather than trusting that God is in control and loves me enough to make all things come together for my good. 

Every day is a good day to take stock and de-clutter a little more, not just on the outside, but also in my heart.

Lord, please forgive me for worrying, for letting the past get in the way of the present. Help me to make a new start each day, aware of Your grace and mercy. Amen.