Getting Serious

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Imagine with me for a moment how that verse can apply to our kid outreach ministry.

Running the race is serving in the ministry.

What hinders us--holds us back? How about emotional baggage, wasted time, strained relationships, skewed priorities, or overcommitment, to name just a few? These are all things that aren't necessarily sin but still hold us back from making the most of our opportunities.

What about sin? Are you seeing how sin--even the "little" stuff--can trip you up as you try to reach the kids? I know it does for me. This is not the place to get into details but all too often sin has not only affected me personally, but it has also made ministry really hard and frustrating at times.

It's time for us to get serious and get real about this stuff that is messing with what God is calling us to do. We have to do away with it. Are you willing throw it off for the sake of the cause? Are you willing to try whatever it takes to make that happen? Are you willing to find someone you can trust to open up to and be accountable to? Are you willing to let go of things or people you shouldn't be holding on to? Are you willing to seek counselling to find emotional healing if that's what it takes? Are you willing to keep praying until you see change in your heart? Are you willing to be committed to renewing your mind through God's Word? Are you willing to keep trying to forgive until you learn how? Are you willing to _______? (fill in the blank)

I am.

I am tired of things the way they are in my own life and how they affect what I'm trying to do for God and his kids. It's time to get serious about the junk that slows me down and holds me back. It's time to get serious about the sin that trips me up along way. I am at the point where i'm willing to do what it takes.

Are you?