"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and … run." Heb 12:1 NIV.

In order to make sure nothing prevented them from running their best, early Olympians stripped down to a simple loincloth.

How about you?

Do you just want the fun of being in the race, or are running to win?

To succeed at becoming what God intended you to be, you'll have to stop doing certain things, even enjoyable things, and begin doing other things that support your goals and help you fulfil your God-ordained purpose.

That will probably mean saying no to well-intentioned people who are trying to involve you in all sorts of things that ultimately sap your time, thoughts and energy. The sorts of things that produce no outcome, no output and no fruit. It'll also mean dealing with "the sin that so easily entangles".

When God says something is wrong, it's wrong!

You don't need to discuss, theorise, analysis, validate, blame, make excuses or feel sorry for yourself - you just need to agree, ask for His forgiveness, get the thing out of your life and get on with fulfilling what God wants you to do.

Paul was a life coach in early times and told us,

"All athletes practice self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away,
but we do it for an eternal prize" (1Co 9:25 NLT)

Who gets the prize?

Those who practice self-control.

Paul knew he couldn't win the race without first bringing his body, mind and emotions under the control of God's spirit.

The same goes for you. You can't expect somebody else to make you do what's right; you must listen to God's spirit for yourself and take action.

Regards,

Sgt Henry VAN ANDEL
Victoria Police Multicultural Advisory Unit