‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
— Matthew 6:19-21
Bill Bowerman, the legendary track coach at Oregon, was obsessed with one thing: making runners faster. He knew that every extra ounce on a shoe slowed his athletes down, so he got creative. He would pour rubber into his wife’s waffle iron, creating a lighter, more responsive sole. That experiment led to the famous Nike Waffle Trainer and sparked a running shoe revolution.
No weight—or what we carry—is without intention. Bowerman knew more weight meant a heavier gait, potentially slowing his runners down. But weight isn’t always bad. Trail runners need grip. Distance runners must balance lightness with durability. It’s not just about shedding weight—it’s about knowing what you should carry.
Jesus tells us the same thing about our lives. Some burdens need to be released—fear, resentment, the pressure to prove ourselves. But some things are worth carrying: love, justice, and grace. The challenge isn’t just letting go but discerning what truly matters. Especially as a manner of the possesions we hold on to.
These “treasures” that offer earthly value, can only hold that so long. It even might help us in our experience, much like a gel for a marathoner. However, we must know what is worth our heart and when we are trying to store our treasures on earth.
Maybe the question isn’t simply, “What do I need to drop?” but also, “What do I need to carry with intention?” Because when we choose wisely, we don’t just move faster—we move with purpose, toward a life shaped by God’s kingdom.
The fastest runners aren’t carrying extra baggage. The most joyful lives aren’t burdened by earthly treasures. What’s one thing you can release today to run more freely toward God?
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Don’t forget their will be no devotion on Sunday, keep tuned in for the series to continue on Monday.
