Since being on the Race, wearing the same clothes multiple days in a row is not an uncommon thing for me anymore – especially last month when we did construction every day. There is one morning in particular however, when I recall moving slower than usual, not wanting to adorn myself in the same dirt-ridden clothes I had worn the previous day.
I sat up on my bed and gave myself a silent pep talk to get through this last day of physical labor before getting a couple of days off. I proceeded to put on my same “work uniform”, convincing myself it was okay because by wearing the same outfit I had worn the day before, I would have less items to launder.
Once I was dressed, I smelled my top to be sure I could get away with wearing it a second day. But after getting one whiff of the stench that lodged itself in my shirt from the previous days work, I immediately took it off and flung it back to its proper place – the dirty clothes pile!
I just couldn’t do it!
I found a clean top to put on, then sat down on my bed to put on my shoes before heading out for the day. While tying my shoelaces, the Holy Spirit spoke to me.
“That dirty top you just flung is much like the sin you “dress” yourself in when you are contrary to my ways. And the stench you smelt is like the odor sin gives off to me – foul!”
Whew! Talk about a heavy word!
It’s no wonder the scripture in Hebrews tells us to throw off every weight that slows us down – especially 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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
For the rest of my life, it is my hearts desire to fling off every weight, fight the sinful nature I was born with and run with perseverance this race marked out for me. Knowing that with my eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, I am victorious.
I’ve traded in my filthy rags for some pretty sweet armor (Ephesians 6:10-20), and with it all I do is win. Not by any strength of my own, but by the power of Jesus that is at work in me.
On that morning as the Holy Spirit challenged me, I challenge you …
Have you changed clothes?
