Eliminating the Drag

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

Nike has done it again. The mammoth sports apparel corporation known around the world by its stylish "swoosh", has taken things to another new level. Several years ago Nike introduced newly designed swim gear for the Swim Team representing the United States in the Olympics. The new gear not only made them look like fish, but it also helped the team swim win its way to several gold metals. Well, if you thought the swim gear was off-the-hook, wait until the results from the Athletics (Track & Fields) Olympic team wearing the newly designed "Nike Swift System" gear this year. This new gear, for the 2008 USA Track Team, is designed to knock off 31.5% of drag from the runners arms and legs adding .02 seconds to their time. Wow! Nike has found a way to reduce the drag by redesigning and reducing the material on the uniforms.

Although Nike is cashing in, Paul had the concept to this "swift system" years ago. "Throw off everything that hinders...", he says to the Hebrews. Paul understood the importance of a makeover. This makeover is not about fashion, grooming, or a house turned into a home. Like Nike, Paul is talking about redesigning our lives to reduce the drag slowing us down while running this race call life. Nike decreased their material and cut away certain areas allowing the runner to cut through the forces of wind against them. With this vivid image in mind of the runners in their new aerodynamic wears, what are the areas in your life that prevent you to run at your top speed.

What persons, places, or things in your life need to be cut away? What's the excess material that is slowing you down? Is it the "crew", your friends who are only your friends when you have what they need? Is it the significant other or the other significant that is consistently and purposefully headed in the wrong direction insisting that you follow or it over? Is it trying to keep up with neighbors? The Jones’ have moved and still you cannot rest until you have more tangible processions than the new neighbors? And this is just the external variables that often slow us down... I have yet to even talk about the sin. The stuff that we know we’re doing that is slowing us down.

Well, this nugget is to encourage you to let go of everything that is hindering you and the sin that has entangled you. You know exactly what needs to go… we don’t need to spell it out! Just cut it off, say good-bye, ignore the calls, avoid the locations or conversations that take your mind there, and run this race with perseverance! The Lord is calling you onward. I can see Him at the finish line waiting to say well done, my good and faithful servant… Well done!