Throw it off today!

It was the very first game of the season and Kyrsten had played great right up until the incident. There were only a few minutes left when she and a teammate went up for a rebound. Her teammate got the rebound and Kyrsten got an elbow to the nose. Ouch!

She dropped to the floor like a rock and we just as quickly were up and moving toward the sideline. She walked off the floor but was clearly dazed. Her nose was bloody, bruised and broke!

Statistically, an elbow trumps a nose almost every time.

Nothing was out-of-place so there was no need for surgery but … there would have to be a protective mask worn for 5-6 weeks. Kyrsten is not always quick to express her feelings but this was an exception. She HATED the mask! It was uncomfortable, hot and difficult to see through at certain places.

Last week was Kyrsten’s first game WITHOUT the mask! Not only was she was very excited but she also played noticeably better. Sin has a similar negative effect on us. The author of the Hebrew letter wrote…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2a

Certain behaviors are sin not because God is a killjoy or delights in setting moral boundaries, but because they simply are not healthy for us. They offend God’s glory and keep us from living the full, free life that our Creator intends for us to experience.

What could you accomplish for God’s kingdom were you not hindered by sin? Who might be influenced toward God were they to witness a full, abundant life in you? What measure of joy are you missing out on?

What’s your sin issue? Why not throw it off today!