“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Last night was our annual Christmas Trivia Night! I had asked a couple ladies if they would mind bringing some snacks for the occasion, and was told by text that ‘Pigs in a Blanket’ would be part of the fare! Immediately I thought, “OH NO! That’s WAY too much to ask of somebody.” When I called, I learned that our experiences of that menu item differed greatly! I was happily confused!
Growing up, Pigs in a blanket was a MAJOR dinner item. It consisted of cooking meat and rice, wrapping tubular balls of that mixture in cabbage leaves, then baking them in the oven. It took a lot of work! When I was told HER version was mini hot dogs wrapped in dough, I still appreciated the effort, but was happy that HER pigs it wouldn’t take all day to blanket! I thought of this verse.
Basically it starts off with the idea that LOTS of people are watching me. Since that is the case, I’d better watch my behavior and STOP doing the sinful things that so EASILY mess up my life and reputation! Reading that part scares me because… THAT part isn’t so easy! Admittedly, I have been trying to do that since I first heard the word “NO!” So far it hasn’t easily worked! So what’s the deal?
OBVIOUSLY, sin is fun! If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have done it so much. Growing up, parents and teachers would say, “you stop that right now young man or you’re going to get in trouble!” I didn’t, and I did! Over and over again! My piggish sinful flesh was actually comfortable being wrapped up and coddled! In time, I realized I WAS in trouble, but had NO way to stop it on my own! Now THIS?
At my age and in my profession, I guess you could say I am a master at recognizing pigs in blankets. Having run to Jesus and been forgiven, it is now a pleasure to point people to the same Savior who ‘set me free from the law of sin and death!’ But once in a while I read a verse that scares me into an uncomfortable, labor intensive, working idea of Faith that DOESN’T work. Un-blanketing ain’t easy!
The First verse by itself leaves me the pig I am! And in the same position as those we ate last night! Wrapped up and headed for the oven! The Christmas JOY of this lesson comes in verse 2. Because while it is IMPOSSIBLE for ME to do the first verse alone, I CAN do the second verse… and that is ‘Keep my eyes focused on Jesus, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of MY FAITH! Now I’m comfortable.
Are YOU trying to break free from sin and make a good impression on your own? Why not turn your focus on The Savior and stay OUT of the oven!
