Last night I woke up because I had too many covers on me. What felt great when I went to sleep was clearly not the case several hours later. I discovered that after a long time of twisting and turning, I was very limited by the weight of the covers.
Sometimes we literally load ourselves up with what we think we need, but in the end it is just an excessive amount of weight that limits our movement. When we can’t freely move, then we are at risk of not being able to move at all! The other part of this is that if we are carrying too much, and the time comes for us to pick up something new, we may not have the capacity to do so. Sometimes we have to drop first, so that we can pick up second.
When I think of the people, that I would consider serious runners, it is very obvious that they only wear what is critical to what they are doing. They have chosen the best possible clothing that enhances their ability to perform well. Anything that is not applicable to running well is not part of their attire. Another example are those individuals that travel often. They are keen to have the lightest bags possible, and to only pack what is absolutely necessary. I can testify to this because I have a husband who has traveled the world, and he does not pack anything that he deems superfluous. After all, everything we carry what is not critical to our purpose has the potential of becoming nothing more than a burden.
What I like about this question is it’s timing in relation to the present year closing out. It seems like an appropriate time to assess if we need to lose a few pounds, and following that assessment we can then take the necessary action. As I consider this question, I am reminded of the importance of the garment of praise. Important because it is praise that breaks the heavy yoke, giving us clarity of vision so we will know exactly what we need to see and do!
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.