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.
Hebrews 12:1 (nkjv)
Who gets the gold?
I have been so amazed watching the Olympics. My favorite events have been the gymnastics and, of course, watching Michael Phelps breaking the record for the most gold won in a single Olympics.
Ok, now you're gonna have to get in my head for this one, but an interesting thing I noticed while watching Phelps and his opponents as they raised their arms getting ready to dive in was that they had no armpit hair, or chest hair, or back hair. Nada. There wasn't a hairy one out there. I had heard that they shaved their legs--some friction thing--but it finally dawned on me that that wasn't the only place they shaved. And, being the 'curious George' that I am, I did the Ask Jeeves thing and found out some interesting information on the reasons for shaving.
In this particular article I read, there were 4 reasons given for shaving:
1. Surface area = Drag
2. Dead skin - comes off when shaving along with the hair.
3. Feel - supposedly makes one more sensitive in the water but probably more mentally invigorating.
4. Intimidation - could make an opponent nervous if you shaved and he didn't! (I got a kick out of that one!)
Now I know the above verse is talking about running, but I think 'weights that easily ensnare us' could be compared with the hair thing going on with swimmers, especially when we're talking 1/100 of a second, right?
What are some of the weights, if any, that hinder us from running our race? What's holding us back (drag)? Is there anything (dead skin) that we can shed so that we can stay focused on finishing? Are we in tune and sensitive (feel) to the Lord's guidance or direction for our race? And what about intimidation? Are we allowing intimidation tactics by our opponent(s) to slow us down i.e. peer pressure, accusation, fear from the enemy who's primary goal is to 'steal, kill, and destroy' (John 10 :10a)?
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galations 6:9)
Bring on the Nair, baby, I'm going for the GOLD!
It's All BEAUTIFUL MONDAY Good!
Hi Brenda cool gold post..(:) Thank you for the nice congrats(:) big hugs, Patty
ReplyDeleteThat is a great application.
ReplyDeleteVery nice tying all that together... I liked it!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
What a great illustration you worked into this devotion, Brenda. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a BEAUTIFUL MONDAY! ;o)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Great life lessons from the swimmers of the USA team. They do shave. What is dragging me down is my fear of certain things. Oh my how I have to give that up.
ReplyDeletePass that Nair to me too. I'm in for the long haul and "running that race until it's run"!!!
ReplyDeleteTo answer where we lived in CO. We rented in So. Denver near Cherry Creek for a year and then bought a home in Thornton and lived for 2 years before coming to Tulsa.
Susan
What a good comparison. Thank you for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteOh don't you love it when God gives you an inspiration like that? Mine this week was my Cat and fruit loops. And God spoke to me through that!!
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to watch any of the Olympics but have enjoyed the buzz that they have created around Blogland.
Be blessed Brenda.
Jen
Great devotional Brenda. keep on keepin on and thanks again for the birthday wishes. later,
ReplyDeleteyour sis,
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteJust dropping by to say hi and to wish for you a very good weekend.
Take care.