Worth the Weight?

"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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith , who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross …”Heb 12:1-2

Have you ever noticed in the Bible that Christ was thronged by people all the time -- people who believed in Him and people who wanted Him to do things -- but they were not all disciples? The bible refers to them as "the multitude." But disciples are different.

That is because anyone can follow Christ but not everyone can be a disciple. Why? Being a disciple requires discipline. It requires the ability to lay down one's life for another and calls for consistent behavior, for commitment and intense effort.

Not everyone is ready to do that because it always requires giving up that one thing that stands between you and the kingdom.

What always separates the best athletes from the rest is discipline. The best athletes are quick to rid themselves of whatever separates them from the prize. And if it is not a quick fix, they discipline themselves until it is no longer a problem.

They'll change their food, their clothes, their hair, their breathing, their shoes, their friends, their sleeping patterns, their eating patterns, their pain thresholds, their entire lifestyle just to compete for the prize. Nothing is unreasonable because, quite simply put, the best athlete is just willing.

Yet consider: they run only for a prize -- for bragging rights, fame and to be called the best.

Disciples run for a prize too: to be like Jesus, to have a closer walk with God, to see the salvation of our family and friends, to gain wisdom and understanding, to be called sons of God.

Paul wanted to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering.

The most committed disciples know that like the athlete, there are things that hinder us, weights that slow us down and keep us from pushing, or burdens that intentionally make it harder to live for Christ.

What's your weight? Anger? A lack of trust? Disappointment?

More importantly, when you consider the prize before you, knowing there is only one thing separating you from it, is it worth it?