Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (AMPC)
Life is a race and every person on earth is already in it.
Like any other race this one also has a set goal to reach, there are rules to follow and a prize for the winner. One of the things that can prevent an athlete from running steadily and persistently to the finish is encumbrances. An encumbrance is an unnecessary weight. Because of the pressure it exerts it slows you down and hinders movement.
In life’s race there are encumbrances, unnecessary weights that exert pressure on us, slowing us down and out rightly stopping movement altogether. But the Word has admonished us to strip off and throw away these hindrances.
One huge hindrance in the race of life is looking back. A disciplined focused runner keeps on looking ahead with a “eyes on the prize attitude” Rarely do they look behind and when they do it’s for a brief moment. When driving we almost all the time look ahead in the wide front mirror or windshield and only every once in a while, do we briefly look to see what’s behind in the really small rearview or side mirror.
Don’t look back at what didn’t happen or work. This is an obstacle to progress.
Do not look back at what once was. Sometimes even yesterday’s achievement can hold us back from today’s advancement if we settle there. The child who finally started walking yesterday is today looking forward to running.
In scripture the wife of Lot who while they were fleeing from destruction looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
The Israelites who were delivered from Egypt never made it to their destination in Canaan because they kept looking back at what they had left in Egypt.
Like the apostle Paul this should be our daily attitude and practice; Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.