The Essentials

The Essentials
by bro

For many years now, I’ve found the preparation for hunting season nearly as exciting as the hunt itself. With great anticipation I prepare for this long awaited time when I can once again return to the woods in search of the critters I’ve dreamed about all year long. And as most hunters would attest, the greatest part of the pre-season ritual is messin’ with our gear. New gear…old gear…it really doesn’t matter. Hunters simply love gear. Each year we pull out the “must-have” items that we would never leave home without. They are the essentials for every hunt. But every year we seem to add a few items to the bag of tricks that may help tip the odds for success in our favor, or simply make our hunt more enjoyable. Binoculars, rangefinder, game calls, water, food, scent attractants, shelter, books, and a pile of other gadgets and gimmicks. Some you wouldn’t hit the woods without, while others do nothing more than weigh you down. There have been a number of times over the years when I pulled an item of gear from my pack and tossed it aside because it was not one of the essentials for the quest I was on. It may have appeared like a necessity at the time, but further down the trail I realized it was simply more weight, more bulk, and it was slowing me down.

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There comes a time in life when we have to examine ourselves. We have to come to grips with the things in our lives that are essentials and those that hinder our journey. We often carry around a lot of baggage from the past, as well as the bulk of worrying about tomorrow. God would love nothing more than to see you lay those things aside. Put away the “stuff” that weighs you down and hinders the journey you’re on. His word says this very thing in Hebrews 12:1….”Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

What is the baggage and bulk in your life that is keeping you from running the race God has set you on? Is there sin in your life that may have appeared good at the time, but has since become a barrier to God’s plan for your life? Lay those things down and run the race with endurance today!

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