Like millions of others, I braved the crowded malls and highways today as we approach Christmas. There were plenty of encumbrances to detour, such as traffic jams in the aisles, crying children waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap, irritated parents with children in tow and overwhelmed part-time Christmas help who didn't know where anything was located in the store.
After reflecting on today's verse, I reminded myself not to become entangled in the material things of the season and ultimately sin? As I shop, bake and decorate do my words reflect holiness or hurriedness? When others see me am I a disciple or a disaster?
Hebrews 12:1 says we are to run with endurance the race set before us. No, this does not mean to get all the shopping done by the 24th. It is to encourage us to run the race marked out in our Christian lives, setting aside whatever hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us.
The Christmas season is a wonderful time to start the race and focus our hearts, thoughts and prayers on Jesus. After all, God gave us His most precious gift, His Son. What can we give Him?