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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. [Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT)]

When a horse is hobbled, its front legs are tied loosely together. The hobbling limits the animal’s movement; he can graze and is able to slowly move a short distance, but he can’t go far and he surely can’t go fast. Sometimes slaves and prisoners were hobbled with shackles around their ankles to keep them from running away.

Are there things that are hobbling us or weighing us down to keep us from running the race that is before us?

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. [Galatians 7:7-8 (NLT)]