Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Bible Blast: Read Hebrews 12:1-4

Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Have you ever seen a three-legged race? Two people run with one person’s right leg tied to the other person’s left leg, so it’s as if they only have three legs instead of four. These races usually end in laughter because it’s almost impossible to run when your leg is tied to someone else’s leg.

Today as I thought about running the race of our Christian life, I thought of what it would be like to tie myself to someone who struggled with sin. Here’s a practical example of how sin might slow you down in your walk with God:

Sholanda and Rebekah were friends. Rebekah had a major problem telling the truth, but Sholanda still liked to hang out with her. One night, Sholanda’s parents told her they didn’t want her to hang out with Rebekah anymore because she lied so often and may be a bad influence on her. Sholanda was heartbroken and angry. She went into her room, slammed the door, and decided she would be friends with Rebekah anyway. Sholanda and Rebekah kept spending time together on the bus and at school, and eventually Sholanda started lying, too. She lied to teachers about her homework. She lied to her parents about who was going to be at slumber parties. On top of all of that, she stopped spending time with Jesus and only prayed before meals.

Sholanda was tripped up by sin. Instead of running for Christ, she chose to “tie” herself to Rebekah’s sinful way of living. The only way Sholanda could get back into the race was to obey her parents and “cut off” her friendship.

Running the race God has set before you isn’t always easy, but it’s always the right thing to do. If you get tripped up by friendships, it’s time to “reduce” the clutter so you can focus on your relationship with God.

Girl Gab: Daughter, tell your mom if you have any friends like Rebekah who might be bad to be “tied” to. Mom, listen lovingly and let your daughter guide the conversation about what to do with that friendship. Support her and pray with her.