Hebrews 12:1
‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’ DAILY READING Mark 16; 1 Kings 12:1-31; Hosea 14
On January 8, 2003, a U.S Airways Flight from North Carolina, stalled after take-off. Just 37 seconds after its lift-off, it crashed into an Airways hangar and burst into flames. All 21 people on board died in the accident.
Investigators determined the crash to have been the result of excess weight. Before the flight, the pilots had checked the take-off weight of the aircraft and determined it to be okay. But unknown to them, they had mistakenly used an incorrect passenger weight estimates in their calculations. So while they thought the plane’s weight was alright, the plane was actually overloaded and out of balance.
After the crash, the weight of baggage retrieved from the crash site and passengers, was found to be 580 pounds above the plane’s maximum allowable take-off weight.
Another factor that contributed to the crash was also negligence. Two days before the accident, the aircraft had been taken to a repair facility. The mechanic who worked on it had never worked on that type of aircraft before, and he incorrectly reset cables that should have helped control the weight of the plane. And the maintenance supervisor, who normally should have done a test run after the repairs, decided not to do so.
All these factors contributed to the eventual crash of the plane.
After take-off, the plane climbed steeply as a result of the excess weight. And though the pilots pushed the control column forward, the plane did not respond, until its eventual crash.
Hebrews 12:1 says ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’
Life essentially is a race. And to be successful in any race you must lay aside excess weights. Such weights can pull a runner backwards. Therefore to be successful, an athlete deliberately initiates the process of stripping himself of every excess weight; through dieting, exercising, and wearing only very light sporting attire.
The same rule applies also in aviation. As we saw in the illustration, excess weights can pull a plane down. Any plane that will fly successfully must carry loads only within its approved limits and get rid of every excess weight.
In the same way, on the flight of destiny excesses can be dangerous. For us to fly high we must lay aside every weight and sin. Sin is a sinker, it is a dead weight that can crash destinies.
We must therefore separate from sin, to enjoy a glorious flight. Right now, we are living in a very sensitive season. Though it is a season of glory for the church, it is also a season of great temptations. Isaiah 60, lets us know that the season of our rising and shining, is also the season of gross darkness in the world. This is why every child of God has to be very sober and vigilant. Because the enemy knows his time is short, he going about seeking whom he may devour. For us not to be a victim, we must continually rise and pray so as not to enter into temptation.
As we prepare to embark on the eagle’s flight, we must identify the weights that could bring us down. Are there besetting sins you are still struggling with? Are there secret habits that seems to mock your Christian destiny? Decide now to stop them, before they stop you. If you don’t deal with them now, they may take you out of this race. So make up your mind and declare that those things will not accompany you into the new year.
The power to overcome sin is found in The Word of God. Psalm 119;11 says ‘Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.’
The more you hide The Word of God in your heart the more you receive power to overcome sin. We will also be flying high by the wind of The Spirit. It is therefore time to seek greater intimacy with The Holy Spirit through renewing the fire on our prayer altar.
As the eagles flight gets ready to take off, make up your mind not to be left behind, drop every weight that may hinder you. And whatever it takes, ensure you are a part of this glorious flight.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to drop every weight and sin that can hinder my glorious flight. Please give me a renewed appetite for Your Word, and ignite fresh fire on my prayer altar. Please Lord, whatever You are doing in this season, don’t do it without me in Jesus Name
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The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you.
WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]