Journey to Authentic Living

Hebrews 12

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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,² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Do you ever feel like your wondering around aimlessly just going through the motions. Today's Monday so we start our weeks several days fly by and we find ourselves back at Wednesday for church. Finally Friday rolls back around and while we are wondering where the week disappeared to the weekend will be slammed with ballgames, birthday parties and possibly grocery shopping. Then we land our seats in church to then lead us to the Sunday lunch table with full bellies and sleepy eyes. Just going through the motions not bothering to look around when we are standing in line at Target or at the pool with the kids. Letting every day roll by faster than the previous.

Is this you?  I know for me it can definitely become the cycle that becomes routine and then ends in a blind rut that I didn't even know I was in. Until I pick my head up from running and look at the mark.

What exactly is the "mark"?  It is a different trail for all of us, but the "Mark" is still the same. Jesus is our ultimate goal, to live like Him and love like Him and think like Him. Somewhere in the middle of the race we forget the "Mark". Dr. Cindy Trim puts it into perspective for us below.

"Some of the most prevalent and misunderstood things that keep people from running with purpose and certainty are the toxic thoughts and lethal strongholds within their souls— memories of painful experiences, destructive habits, emotional attachments, misplaced desires, limiting beliefs, and narrow objectives undermine purpose, meaning, and lasting fulfillment. Unaddressed, these things will cause you to go through life feeling weighed down. Unidentified, such things will continuously burden your soul, and sometimes take the wind right out of your sails so you find yourself floating a drift with no shoreline in sight. Now more than ever, at this time in history, God’s people must “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12: 1 NKJV). The weights that tie you down not only make you vulnerable to sin, but also cause you to acquire maladaptive sets of behaviors that keep you stagnated and going around in circles. These patterns derail you from fulfilling your dreams and cause you to abort your purpose so eventually you leave this earth never fully realizing your potential. Not only that, but when you are unable to break free, you keep those around you bound up as well. You become part of the problem rather than the solution. You join the ranks of blind leading the blind. Jesus asked His disciples, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6: 39 NKJV). You become the hurting who hurts and the disappointed who disappoints."Trimm, Cindy (2011-10-20). The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (Kindle Locations 297-309). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 

"Sadly, many of us are so self-absorbed we have become deaf and desensitized to the cries of others who long for the same freedom and relief that we do. Perhaps we, being imprisoned in our minds, are unable to help anyone else simply because we lack the ability to help ourselves." Trimm, Cindy (2011-10-20). The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (Kindle Locations 326-328). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 


"Where you are now is a direct result of every decision you have made in the past. In other words, the life you are living today— the state of your relationships, the joy and peace you are experiencing, or the sorrow and pain— finds its root in decisions you have made up until this present moment. Your life is simply a representation of the sum total of your choices— choices that either enslave or save your soul. Think about that for a moment. Ultimately, you are only one decision away from changing everything. One decision can change the trajectory of your life."Trimm, Cindy (2011-10-20). The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (Kindle Locations 338-342). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 




"My highest calling and greatest reward in life is launching you into a new level of victorious and joyous living by establishing you in the knowledge of the truth of God’s Kingdom— knowledge that will set you free regardless of the unfortunate events, decisions, or relationships you’ve been bound by in the past. Jesus promised His disciples, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8: 32 NIV). The truth will set the real you— the divinely created you that has been held captive— free from the limitations of your unsaved, enslaved soul! Let’s get started unlocking the real you! The power for authentic leadership, Havel tells us, is found not in external arrangements but in the human heart. Authentic leaders in every setting— from families to nation-states— aim at liberating the heart, their own and others’, so that its powers can liberate the world. —Parker Palmer Embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did… but also triumph over huge obstacles (Matthew 21: 21)."Trimm, Cindy (2011-10-20). The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (Kindle Locations 344-352). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 


What is holding you back from looking beyond your circumstances and living a joyous, victorious life? I don't know about you but it's time to shed a few pounds spiritually and the perfect season to "think skinny" spiritually so that my purpose in this life can be fulfilled every day. No matter if it is just a prayer for the person in the next isle at check out...it's time to look up at the finish line and bring a few others there with me.

What do you say? Are you with me?  I will be posting more excerpts from Dr. Cindy Trimm's 40 Day Soul Fast:Journey to Authentic living. If you want to grab her book for your self feel free to do so. I will not be posting every day but you will get a few drops in your bucket from it.

Source: amazon.com via Jenny on Pinterest

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul." —Ella Wheeler Wilcox Trimm, Cindy (2011-10-20). The 40 Day Soul Fast: Your Journey to Authentic Living (Kindle Locations 268-269). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.

Happy hot Monday!