Girl, Get Your Groove On!Àpẹrẹ

Have you ever listened to a song on repeat that resonated with you, or read the same book again and again? You are not alone. A large percentage of people frequently repeat songs, and even more rereads books. Sometimes our minds and hearts need to revisit a truth before we can truly embrace it. This is especially true when it comes to matters of the soul.

That’s exactly what happened to me a few years ago when I heard John Piper teach on Hebrews 12:1-2 that uses the analogy of running a race and sin.

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, —Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Piper suggested that the problem many Christians have in dealing with sin is that we ask the wrong questions. We usually ask, “Can we do X (a questionable activity not directly forbidden in the Bible)?” or, “What’s wrong with X (something the Bible doesn’t specifically address)?” Instead, we should ask a better, race-winning question: “Does X help me run?”

Now that’s a different issue, isn’t it? It was for me. I replayed that sermon a dozen times because he was spot on. I was guilty of asking how much I could get away with rather than focusing on what I needed for victory.

Then came the marathon that drilled this truth into my heart.

If you have ever been to a marathon, the runners line up before dawn, layered up to fight the cold—sweatshirts, scarves, gloves, and sweatpants. But in a few miles, those layers begin to litter the streets. Runners throw them down because they no longer serve them. The extra weight hinders their pace.

Within minutes, these runners become living, breathing examples of Hebrews 12:1-2.

If you and I want to get our groove on, we need to start thinking like runners—discarding anything that slows us down. Instead of asking if we can possess it, experience it, smoke it, drink it, or wear it, we need to ask: Does this help me run?

And if it doesn’t, let it go.

Prayer

Lord, help me lay aside every weight that slows me down. Give me wisdom to recognize what hinders me and the courage to let it go—for Your glory. Amen.