Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

A neighboring course is beset with a troubling epidemic – golf carts with blaring music. The music coming from the cart, not only can be heard adequately by the foursome playing together, but by other foursomes a good three iron away. A club allowing this distraction would have been unheard of 20 years ago. However, it has become an ever increasing occurrence with cash strapped courses needing any and all paying customers possible. For the purveyors, I assume the music is felt to be soothing and relaxing even though the sounds emitted from the cart would be hard to be characterized as such. Golf is hard enough without the presence of any unnecessary distractions. Yes, I am getting old!

The life of the Christian is no different. It is full of noise and distractions among the way. They may not be intended to purposely hinder our walk, but we are like the supposedly trained dog when it sees a squirrel. We either are drawn to the noise or allow it to get inside our head and weigh us down causing us to change directions. Many of the travails in our lives are voluntarily brought into it unnecessarily. In the scripture above, we are taught to lay aside anything that drags us down or hinders our spiritual progress. Sin affects each of us differently. What I may be tempted by, another brother in Christ is not drawn. Many of you probably are not distracted by music on the golf course. However, loud talking may bother you. If not, maybe it’s slow play which is the thorn in your side. Similarly, some of us are distracted by alcohol, others pornographic images, and others may be beset with an angry “graphic mouth.” These are the “sins that doth so easily beset us.” The answer is to lay them aside. Undue burdens threaten our efficacy and efficiency as believers. If you have a friendship which is unhealthy to either you or your marriage, flee from it. The golf cart radios are symbolic of the sins of the people around us. We may be distracted by them, but it doesn’t mean we have to participate or acquiesce in them. In order to avoid distractions, we need unto look unto Jesus daily. He was the beginner and will be finisher of the race alluded to in Hebrews. When we look toward Jesus, He not only gives us direction in the race, but He inspires us to keep going. We are able to persevere because of His guidance and freedom from any undue hindrance which has the potential to weigh us down. He carried the burden of a cross during His race and was able to not only finish, but He won. Because of His victory, we too are guaranteed deliverance at the end of our race.