You can’t hurdle hindrances …

I’ve written before about the fact I’m not a runner and never have been. I’ve tried it, and just didn’t discover that enjoyment so many have for running. But I did enjoy bouts of track and field as part of Physical Education in school.

Being a competitive guy, I was looking forward to getting back onto the track one school afternoon when, to my dismay, I discovered someone had set up hurdles along the track.

Now why would someone purposely place obstacles on a track where people would be running?

I would soon find out.

Not having a natural liking for running, I certainly didn’t find the idea of running hurdles to be appealing. I envisioned the hurdles sending me hurtling face first into the track’s surface, something I wasn’t looking forward to. Fortunately, I did well in my outing with the hurdles, finishing with just a couple clips but no calamities.

As a sport, hurdles can be an interesting — even fun — challenge. But in life, hurdles can cause us to fall in ways that result in real harm.

The Bible refers to hurdles in life, specifically set out to cause us to stumble in our faith, as being those things that hinder us in our walk with God. The Apostle Paul wrote about the issue of hindrances to our faith:

“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom,” Galatians 5:7-8.

Satan is always trying to put in our way something to hinder us in running well the race of faith. But other people, things, even persistent thoughts and emotions can hinder us in our relationship with God when they lead us away from His truth. To make sure we finish the race well, we need to remove any obstacle to our loving and obeying God.

“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions [hindrances] and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people,” Romans 16:17-18.

“We destroy every proud obstacle [hindrance] that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

What obstacles remain in your life that hinder your walk with God?

Scotty