Cast it Aside

Sometimes the greatest obstacle in our walk with God is not something we need to gain, but something we need to let go. In “Cast it Aside,” Pastor Tommy Boring challenges believers from Hebrews 12:1-3 to identify the weights and sins that hinder their spiritual race and to lay them aside so they can run with patience and keep their eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12 points us to the “great cloud of witnesses” described throughout Hebrews 11. Men and women such as Abel, Abraham, Moses, and Rahab believed God even when circumstances seemed impossible. Their faith reminds us that victory does not require carrying unnecessary burdens. It requires trusting God and continuing forward. Pastor Boring emphasizes the difference between sin and weight. Sin must be confessed, repented of, and forsaken, but there are also weights that may not necessarily be sinful yet still hinder our walk with God. These burdens can steal our peace, joy, spiritual strength, and effectiveness. God wants us to recognize them and cast them on Him because He cares for us. The message examines some of the weights identified in 1 John 2:16, including the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. Pride can produce anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, and self-exaltation. The lust of the eyes can lead to envy, jealousy, discontentment, and covetousness. The lust of the flesh can pull us toward ungodliness and unrighteousness. Each one can slow us down in the race God has called us to run. The sermon also addresses burdens that can come through physical problems, difficult circumstances, relationships, work, aging, and the problems of others. Even when certain circumstances cannot immediately be changed, we do not have to allow them to become weights that control our hearts. Pastor Boring points to the Apostle Paul, who endured tremendous suffering while continuing to serve God. Paul learned contentment instead of allowing his hardships to stop his race. Another important warning is that complaining can become a weight. Difficult people and unpleasant circumstances may remain, but believers are challenged to choose whether they will allow those situations to steal their joy and effectiveness. Ultimately, laying aside our weights is a daily decision. We may find ourselves picking up the same burdens again and again, but God’s invitation remains the same: cast it on Him. He is able to carry what we cannot. The message calls us to examine our hearts honestly, identify whatever is slowing us down, and surrender it to God. Instead of simply hearing the Word, we are challenged to become doers of the Word. Lay aside the sin. Lay aside the pride. Lay aside the fear, frustration, bitterness, and burdens that keep us from running well. Most importantly, look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him. When we keep our eyes on Christ and cast aside what hinders us, we can continue running the race God has placed before us.