“So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1
Last week grandson Ross, 13, came for a visit. We had a wonderful time, including a visit to the Route 11 Potato Chip factory. They were producing chips on the day of our visit, so we got to view the process from slicing, frying, sorting, seasoning, and bagging. In 14 minutes, raw potatoes were transformed into tasty chips. We sampled an assortment of chips including my new favorite, Chesapeake Crab. And brought home a package of assorted varieties.
We learned that fresh potatoes lose 75% of their weight in the fryer as their water content is turned to steam which is funneled into the sky through exhaust vents.
It got me to wondering about all the extra weight I carry around. Not just the extra weight from the chips. I’m thinking of heavier baggage: the weight of worry and anxiety, concerns for family and friends, the loses of aging, an ache for our broken world.
I imagine that is a part of what the writer of Hebrews had in mind. The baggage I carry is mostly self-imposed, focused on what I can’t control. I other words, focused on me. The way through – fixing our eyes on Jesus (which sounds like a gospel song). I think that is the heart of the race, a contemplative life of seeing God in all things.
Let’s throw off the baggage ~ Anne
Wayfinding 