"Wherefore, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

I read about an airplane used by missionaries that gained some two-hundred pounds in weight since it was manufactured sixteen years previously. Nobody knows where the extra weight came from.

"We've been joking about the only plane in Weight Watchers," said the pilot. "But it's really a serious matter. Unless we can shed the extra weight, the plane's utility is seriously limited. We just can't carry an extra two-hundred pounds and have space for the cargo we need to deliver."

Many of us, like the missionary airplane, are carrying extra weight that can stop us from being fully functional and fully alive. For some, the extra weight may be physical, which can lead to ill health. For others, it may be unresolved emotional or spiritual issues. For example, if I am carrying an overload of guilt, fear, grief, hurt, anger, or resentment, or have some unconfessed sin or unresolved addiction in my life, any of these things can keep me stuck, not going anywhere.

God is not out to get us because of these things, but he wants us--with his help and the help of supportive friends--to resolve and overcome our issues so we can throw off the weights that are holding us back and be free to "run with patience the race set before us" and win!