1Therefore, 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.
This verse follows all the great stories of faith in the previous chapter. Those who received the promise of their faith and those who did not, both were commended for their faith. Faith is not connected to getting answers, but in believing the One who promised. What a great group of accounts of faith in action. Then this chapter begins and the writer wants us to make a very strong connection between these examples of people of faith and our current lives of struggle. He pictures a crowd so large they look like a cloud. They are all bearing testimony to the greatness and faithfulness of God. If we miss their message, we must be blind. The message is strong, “If they could do it, you can too.” But we must eliminate anything that will get in our way. I picture someone walking with their arms filled with loose extension cords and curtain rods. There is no way they are going to be able to make a fast escape if they try to hang on to all those cords and rods. They will be tripping and fumbling to keep from dropping some. The best course of action would be to put everything down and then make your escape. Those cords will keep getting in the way. As you seem to get one gathered back in, another one drops to the ground entangling you feet. Just as you think all the rods are straight, one falls out of alignment and tips at an awkward angle. Just put the whole pile down. Then you can move on without fear of being tripped up by the cords or knocked in the face with a stray rod. So it is in our Faith life. We must put down in order to move on. What are you holding on to today that God has been speaking to you about putting down and you have been resisting? I want to encourage you to put it down today.
The Arnold Journey 