Drop the Baggage & Run Your Race!
- Jonalisa Worlitz
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
A Reflection for Wednesday, April 1st by Jonalisa Worlitz
Lectionary reading for April 1, 2026: link from spreadsheet i.e. Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32
Selected passage for reflection: Hebrews 12:1-3
Read
Hebrews 12:1-3 Common English Bible
12 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, 2 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.3 Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up.
Reflect
I remember running my first 10K years ago in Los Angeles’ Chinatown with a close friend. I hadn’t trained as much as I should have, but I felt good about finishing the race. My friend had been very consistent with her training schedule, running several times every week. At the start, she insisted on staying with me and running at my pace, but I encouraged her to go ahead and run her best race.
As I ran on my own, something clicked: I needed to run my own race at my own pace. Not hers. Not anyone else’s. Just mine. That moment has stayed with me not just for running but for life.
Each of us has a unique life story, with different experiences, gifts, and callings. Because of this uniqueness, comparing ourselves to anyone is unhelpful in most situations. When I think back to my 10K, I realize: if I had tried to keep up with my friend, I would have been exhausted and pushed my body past its limits. I definitely wouldn’t have enjoyed the race as much. If she had stayed with me, she wouldn’t have run to her full potential. She would’ve been holding back to accommodate me. We both needed to run our own race. The same is true in our walk with God. Community is such a vital part of our lives as believers, but we are also on very unique individual journeys where we are called to run the race God has laid out for us. My friend and I ran at different paces and had different experiences, but both finished the race and celebrated together in the end.
Hebrews 12:1–3 uses the metaphor of a race to describe a life of faith. Just before this, in Hebrews 11, the writer presents a faith “hall of fame” highlighting Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Noah, Rahab, and others. Then the focus shifts to us, saying now it’s our turn to run the race God has laid out for us. These men and women were far from perfect. Their faith was tested, stretched, and refined through trials, long seasons of waiting, and deep uncertainty. Many did not even see the fullness of what God had promised in their lifetime. Yet they endured, and we are called to do the same.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us to “throw off any extra baggage and get rid of the sin that trips us up.” We are to let go of anything that weighs us down and hinders us, whether it’s sin, fear, doubt, comparison, old wounds, shame, or any other burdens we are carrying, so we can run our best race. Sin wraps itself around our feet and trips us up. You can’t run freely while holding onto unnecessary weight or tripping over sin.
There may be moments in your race when you feel strong and confident, thinking, “I got this,” and other moments when you wonder, “Do I have what it takes to keep going?” Life comes in seasons, and some seasons require more endurance than others. This passage doesn’t just tell us to push through but also reminds us that we can draw strength from the great cloud of witnesses who came before us and from fixing our eyes on Jesus. In a world full of distractions, staying in the Word and keeping our eyes on the Lord is a daily battle, but intimacy with God is worth fighting for.
Jesus is our greatest example of a life of faith. Many versions of Hebrews 12:2 say, “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” He did not quit when it got hard. He endured unimaginable pain and humiliation, knowing that the reward would far outweigh the temporary suffering. Because of His perseverance, we have salvation, eternal life, and a source of strength for our own lives. Jesus completed his assignment from the Father and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God eternally. Finishing well requires that we understand our assignment and be faithful to complete it.
Hebrews 12:3 reminds us to remember the opposition Jesus endured from sinners so that we don’t get discouraged and give up. A life of faith is not easy. It requires perseverance through trials and pain, trust in the unseen, and a willingness to keep going even when the finish line feels far away.
Run the unique race God has laid out for you, enduring the unique challenges you will face for the joy set before you, knowing that the Lord will be you every step of the way.
Respond
Pray and Listen:
Lord, what am I holding onto that you never asked me to carry? Is there any weight or sin keeping me from running freely? Commit to releasing those things that are weighing you down, repent of sin, and keep your eyes on Jesus.
OR
Lord, would you give me a glimpse (a word, an image, a scripture) of the joy set before me that makes enduring worthwhile?
Rest
God, we praise you and thank you for the life you have given us, the race you have laid out for each of us. Help us to understand our assignment and release any baggage we’re carrying. Free us from sin. Give us the strength and comfort we need when life feels unbearable. Heal any wounds that are hindering us and help us to focus our eyes on you so that we can run our race with freedom and joy. Remind us that you are running with us every step of the way. We love you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
About the Author
Jonalisa Worlitz is a leader who is passionate about prayer, discernment, and helping others build healthy, fulfilling lives. She is also a passionate advocate for youth in the foster care system and those at-risk for incarceration. She holds an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy and an M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as a B.A. in Social Work from San Francisco State University. She and her husband, Harvey, are both from Los Angeles, California, but have lived in Atlanta for the last 5 years. They enjoy traveling and eating good food in their free time.
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