by Shannon Caughey

Competitive runners do whatever they can to rid themselves of anything that might impede their performance. They wear lightweight clothing. They utilize shoes that are as light as possible. These athletes know that any extra weight can hinder their ability to win.

Hebrews 12:1-2, the passage we’re looking at in this series of devotions, compares the life of faith in Christ to a race. Like a competitive runner, we need to rid ourselves of anything that impedes us so that we can win at this race that matters most. Here’s how Hebrews 12:1-2 puts it: “¹ Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

When you as a coach are maximizing the opportunity you have to influence your athletes and fellow coaches for Christ and his ultimate purposes, you are coaching to win. To do so, however, you must address those things that impede you from coaching and living for the Lord. Verse 2 directs us to “lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us.” In light of this, here are two questions to consider:

1. What distracts me from coaching and living fully for Jesus?

The first category in v. 2, “every hindrance,” addresses things which are not necessarily sinful but can still distract us from being all-in for Christ. For example, your schedule can be jam-packed each day with good things. As a result, however, you might be hindered from spending unhurried time in Bible study and prayer. Or you don’t have time for that spontaneous conversation with an athlete that might end up being about significant issues. Busyness can be a distraction. Another example: pursuing career advancement can be healthy, but it can also distract you from being fully present to the Lord and what he wants to do through you in your current position. 

Ask yourself what is distracting you from coaching and living fully for Jesus, and then take steps to address these distractions. If your schedule is too full, what good things do you need to say “no” to so you are able to say “yes” to what is most important? If you’ve been focusing too much on career advancement, choose to trust the Lord with your future and ask him to help you be fully present with him in the present. Lay aside distractions so that you’re not hindered from running the race Christ has for you.

2. What sin issues are undermining my relationship with Jesus and my witness for him?

The second category is “the sin that so easily ensnares us.” Are there sin issues in your life that are negatively impacting your closeness with Christ and undermining your effectiveness in pointing others to him? A few examples: Are you prone to angry outbursts that don’t reflect the character of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit? Do you use language or participate in the kind of coarse joking that devalues Christ’s holiness? Do you engage in gossip or in speaking critically of people rather than loving others the way Jesus loves them? Where there are sin issues, repent and receive the Lord’s forgiveness. By his power and grace, follow the way of Christ—for your sake and for the sake of those you influence.

All of us have things that hinder us from maximizing our potential to honor Christ and impact others for him. Because the life of faith in Christ is the race that matters most, take seriously the need to get rid of what impedes us. Lay aside distractions and sin issues so that you can coach and live to win.

For reflection: What steps do you need to take to address distractions or sin issues that are hindering you in the race of faith? Choose at least one of these steps and decide how you will pursue it.