Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
It is very important to watch if we have any uninvited companions running along with us in the race of faith. If we ignore their voices and noises, they will soon piggyback on our shoulders. Athletes run with very lightweight clothes as less weight = more efficiency. Similarly, in the race of faith, we will run fervently when we travel light. Anything that hinders, slows or staggers our progress in faith is a monkey on our back. Fear, doubt, guilt, experiences and bad memories of past failures are common hindrances. Everything that is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Habits that waste our time and mess our mind are entangling sins that become a heavy load that we drag along.
Moses carried the monkey of fear, guilt and rejection for 40 years. He fled Egypt in fear of the Pharaoh carrying the guilt of murdering an Egyptian. The people whom he thought would applaud him for killing the enemy rejected him. The stigma of rejection, shame and fear became the monkey on his back. However, when the Lord met him at the burning bush, God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5). Sandals in the Bible are a symbol of authority (Psalm 60:8). Moses ran ahead of God—acting in his own strength before the divine timing. Hence the Lord made him surrender and get rid of his pride. The Lord made Moses get rid of the monkey on his back before He called him into ministry.
An inexplicable heaviness, evil foreboding or unexpected derailment that slows us down in the race of faith, is a mocking monkey on our back.
Get rid of the mocking monkey on your back:
- Restrain: Unforgiveness, bitterness or unresolved anger will slow us down.
- Reaction: Reaction of fear is sin. Respond in faith – don’t react in fear.
- Rejection: The stigma of rejection is a heavy unnecessary load.
“Get rid of anything that slows you down in the race of faith”.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to identify and get rid of the monkey on my back. Amen
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