By Jeff Cranston

The choices before you in this race called life are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder you and something else that may not. Is there an encumbrance—a weight—in your life you must lay aside? The beautiful and rich verses of Hebrews 12:1-2 provide three practical take-aways that you can implement into your life as you strive to become like Jesus Christ: 

1. Simplify your life.

“Let us lay aside every encumbrance and sin … ”  Clean out and discard all the junk that’s holding you back from becoming the person God wants you to become. Clean out the clutter. Clean out your mind. Clean out your schedule. Clean up your relationships.

If you’re going to become the woman or man God wants you to be, the first thing you’ve got to do is to let go of some stuff. You’ve got to eliminate the diversions, the distractions, the detours, the dead ends and the time wasters. 

2. Don’t run in a state of flurried panic.

This race is going to take your entire life. You’re not going to finish it in a week, a month or even next year. God’s plan to make you the person He wants you to be is a lifetime plan. It’s not a short 50-yard dash. It’s a marathon. Don’t grow impatient.

When you first become a Christian, you start growing really fast—just like babies who double their weight in their first year. But that’s not sustainable, is it? Growth slows down, but it’s stable and secure and over a period of time. God is not in a hurry growing you to where He wants you to grow. So, just relax and realize that He’s not impatient with you. Champions know how to pace themselves.

3. When life gets rigorous, remember the reward!

In life, you’re going to go through a lot of problems and pressures and trials and difficulties and ups and downs. And God’s going to use it all to make you more like Jesus. And if God’s going to make you like Jesus, He’s going to take you through everything that Jesus went through.

Were there times when Jesus was lonely? Yes. Were there times when Jesus was criticized? Yes. Were there times when Jesus was betrayed? Yes. Were there times when Jesus was worn out with fatigue and yet had to keep going? Yes. Were there times when He was misunderstood? Yes. If God did not spare his own Son from those things, why do you think He would spare you? He won’t. 

But here’s a great promise found in 1 Peter 5:10: “And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever.”

We will exchange short-term problems on earth for long-term glory in heaven. Your race is not over. Your heart’s still beating. It’s never too late to get back up and get in the race again. In this family called LowCountry Community Church, you are loved. You belong. And you can become what God meant for you to become. If you get in a small group that learns to be safe and learns to be supportive, they will help you back up every time you stumble and fall on your face. It’s OK. It’s part of the race.

LCC is a second-chance grace place. This is a place for people who want to start over. For people who want to be loved, belong and become. It’s never too late. You’re never too old. It’s time to get back up and get in the race. 

Jeff Cranston is lead pastor at LowCountry Community Church in Bluffton, S.C.