When It’s Time to Part Company

I don’t think I’m an actual hoarder, but I do save a lot of things. It drives my wife, Cathe, crazy because she’s very neat and tidy. For instance, I always bring extra items with me when I travel. But sometimes these things slow me down.

When we’re running the race of life, however, we don’t want any excess baggage. If we want to win, then we need to run light.

The Bible tells us, “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” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).

Do you have some people who are actually slowing you down in the race of life? Are they dragging you down spiritually?

Here’s my question for you: Is that a relationship you want to continue? Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.

In Genesis, we find the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot. Abraham walked with God, but Lot started dragging Abraham down spiritually. When a conflict developed, they parted company. Then the Lord began to speak to Abraham again.

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT).

We want to influence people for God’s kingdom, of course. But if someone in your life influences you with their unbelief, their skepticism, their bitterness, or whatever else it might be, that could be someone who’s slowing you down in the race.

Sometimes there are people in our lives who may be toxic for us spiritually. We want to run light, and we want to run with other people who love the Lord as well.