Removing the Rocks and Ropes

By: Keefe Wilson

Saturday, October 25, 2025

...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. Hebrews 12:1

Our community group is going through a book called “A Deeper Walk.” There is an impactful story from that book that I'll summarize: A man visited a village in Africa to announce a race would be held, and the winner would receive a prize. As the villagers gathered, he asked them who the fastest runner in their village was, and everyone pointed to the same man. Next, the traveler invited that man to race against a small, young girl. The villagers laughed, confidently thinking they already knew who would win.

But there were a few rules for this race he hadn't yet revealed. He gave the fastest runner a backpack to wear and filled it with heavy rocks. Then he took out a rope and tied his lower legs together. The crowd laughed as the stronger runner struggled to move forward. When the race officially started, the little girl calmly skipped towards the finish line and won the race easily. Afterwards, the visitor gave both participants a prize.

This story has a spiritual application for all believers. We can't run our race of faith if we're carrying around burdens from our past or we're still bound by sin. To finish well, we must throw off whatever is holding us back spiritually. So, what would a "rock" from our past look like? Weights like worry, guilt, bitterness, fear, and unforgiveness are burdens God never asked us to carry. A "rope" of entanglement could be an active sinful behavior, but it could also be something (sports, jobs, kids, or hobbies) we are prioritizing over our time with God. God says we must remove anything in our lives that is stumbling us spiritually and slowing down our race towards Heaven.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Back when we were on the mission field, I had to learn Satan was trying to entangle me to keep me from running the race God had marked out for me. When I finally released what was holding me back, I experienced joy, a newfound focus, and I was able to run my race unencumbered. What about you? Are there any "rocks" (burdens) from your past you need to remove? Or is there a "rope" you need to still untangle? If the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, pray and ask God to remove it!

Christ follower, lay those burdens down and start racing toward Jesus at full speed!