It

It's January! Time to actually utilize that gym membership, get out the running shoes, work off all those Christmas cookies. Losing weight is the number one New Year's resolution for most people.

Along with everybody else, I want to lose weight this year. But not just physically. I want to lose the weights that hold me down mentally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally. I want to release the burdens that oppress and the patterns that bind me.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God". (Hebrews 12:1-2, NASU)

Run with endurance---Many people start walking with Jesus. Very few finish strong. Instead of just good intentions, I want to run with consistency in the race set before me. I want to be able to say "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do". (John 17:4) And I certainly far from that finish line.

	Sin which so easily entangles us--If I do not keep sort accounts with God, I can become entangled in sin. Never underestimate our ability to rationalize. I work with a lot of people who love the Lord and a lot who are committed to His ministry and I still believe the two most dangerous things we say to ourselves are 1. "I would never do that" and 2. "I can handle it".
	Every encumbrance--But it's not just sin (as deadly as that is) that trips me up and sidelines me. There are encumbrances that weigh me down and rob me of joy, peace, power. Burdens and busyness and worry clutter up my life and render me ineffective without my even realizing the attrition, the wear and tear on my mind, body, soul and spirit.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus--Not simply checking in occasionally, not glancing His way as I run off on my own agenda. But keeping my gaze on Him, His character, His attributes, His life as my True North.

In His book on the 23rd Psalm, Traveling Light, Max Lucado speaks of releasing the burdens of

	Self-reliance
	Discontent
	Weariness
	Worry
	Hopelessness
	Guilt Arrogance
	The Grave
	Grief
	Fear
	Loneliness
	Shame
	Disappointment
	Envy
	Doubt
	Homesickness

But he begins with the most pervasive bedrock issue: "The Burden of a Lesser God". I truly believe that the most important search of your life is "Who is God?" My view of God affects everything I think or do. We live in a world of "designer gods", where God created man in His own image and man returns the compliment. We each have a warped and inadequate understanding of Him. I can only truly release these burdens as I study and come to know the true God. The more I know God, the more I am freed by His life. Studying and teaching the Gospel of John last year anchored me in Christ more powerfully than any study I've done. The wonderful paradox: Complete surrender to Him is perfect freedom.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, NASU)

Or, I love the way Eugene Peterson interprets it:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

I want to live freely and lightly. I want to learn the unforced rhythms of grace. This is not an automatic thing. I will lose these weights only as I come to Jesus, as I get away with Him, as I walk with Him and work with Him. As I fix my eyes on Him.

What weighs me down? Overscheduling, busyness, living for others' expectations, anger, fear, trying to be someone else, trying to do what God has not assigned.

What frees me? Grace, laughter, listening to God, working out of my gifts, keeping short accounts with the Father, reliance on the Spirit, time at Jesus' feet.. The closer I walk with Him, the more of these weights I lose. It doesn't mean life becomes easy. But it does mean I don't have to live with these weights on my shoulders.

What weighs you down?

"Be serious with God and leave the rest gaily alone. Put God first literally." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 18)

Slowly learning to travel light,

Linda