A Jolly Good Clear Out

Hebrews 12:1 – As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. (GNB)

Because we want to "rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly," which definitely hinders our running "the race that lies before us", our family regularly discusses "kicking these various negatives and sins into touch" — a rugby term, meaning to kick the ball out of play. My teenage grandson often teases, "Oooh, Nanna's a control freak!" But he knows I'm compelled to tell him, "I want to make the sort of choices, Sunshine, that keep me freely surrendered to God."

We're not as free in our race-running with these besetting negatives and sins preventing our yieldedness to our Lord. But with His ever-willing help, we can have "a jolly good clear out" of them regularly. We can free ourselves of those negative, dusty old doubts, ifs, buts, maybes, and sins causing guilt. We can rid ourselves of those self-doubts and hindering memories of past negative statements, which have taught us to believe wrongly, "You can't." "You're not good enough." "You don't have the ability." "You'll fail." Instead we can accommodate the continual revelation truths of His Word:

Philippians 4:8 – My friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable. (GNB)

With these old negatives gone, we'll see clearly the truths of our Lord and His possibilities, which He will accomplish by His Spirit. Increasingly, in His success, we can live and run the life-long marathon He has set before us. We can affirm through Jesus, "I can. I will. I want to run in Your will and in Your way, Lord."

Oh, yes, we can be assured that our Jesus Lord sees and understands every hurting muscle; every jarring pain, stumble, fall, and injury; every heart-wrenching emotion; every well-doing weariness in body and mind; as well as our zeal and enthusiasm. For He is ever running alongside us every step of the way, so that we can victoriously, and with honour of character, "run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b NIV)

Truly, with our Lord's perfect help, company, pleasure, and blessings, we can finish the race. We can! Hallelujah!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for each "jolly good clear out" that frees us up for Your beautiful positives and successes that bring us joyous victory in our marathon race of service, which, in turn, magnifies and glorifies Your lovely name. Amen and Amen!

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