January 19: Released to Rise

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Corry Chambers,
Women’s Ministries Director, CIC
Hebrews 12:1 “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.” Rising often requires releasing. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that before we can run well, we must first let go of what hinders us. God is not asking us to lose anything valuable—but to release what keeps us grounded when He is calling us higher.

 Consider a parachute. When a skydiver is descending, the parachute is essential—it slows the fall and provides safety. But imagine trying to rise back into the sky while still attached to an open parachute. The very thing that once helped would now prevent upward movement. To rise, the parachute must be released. Spiritually, many of us are trying to rise while holding on to things God never intended for the next phase of our journey. 

 As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, God has entrusted us with precious truth—His commandments, the Sabbath, the hope of Christ’s soon return, and the call to live healthfully and missionally. Yet even with truth, we can carry unnecessary weights. 

 Some parachutes we may need to release include: 
 Legalism without love — knowing doctrine but lacking grace and compassion. Fear of people’s opinions — staying silent when God calls us to witness. 

 Tradition without transformation — holding on to “how we’ve always done it” instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.  
Spiritual pride — trusting in our knowledge rather than in Christ. Distraction and complacency — forgetting that we are living in the last days and called to run with urgency and purpose.

 The parachute isn’t sinful—but it becomes a hindrance when it’s no longer needed. In the same way, not everything we carry is wrong, but not everything is required for where God is taking us. 

 God is calling His people to release whatever hinders our upward growth so that we can rise—rise in faith, rise in obedience, rise in love, and rise in mission. We are running a race that points others to Jesus, and we must run it with perseverance, free from unnecessary weight. 

 Today, the question is simple: What am I holding onto that is keeping me from rising fully in Christ? 

 Reflection Questions 
 1. What “parachutes” am I still holding onto that once helped me but now hinder my growth? 
 2. Am I living out my Adventist faith with both truth and love? 3. How is God calling me to rise in mission and purpose in this season? 

Prayer 
 Lord, search my heart and reveal anything I need to release. Help me to let go of habits, attitudes, or mindsets that hinder my walk with You. Teach me to live out Your truth with humility, love, and faithfulness as I run the race set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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