Shedding the Extra Weight

Since entering the NBA in 2018, Luka Doncic has faced consistent criticism for his physique, which some people have classified as “pudgy.”

And, well, let’s be honest that some of the criticism is warranted. When you looked at Doncic’s body in the past, it certainly didn’t strike you as that of a world-class athlete.

But much of that criticism, it would seem, is on the brink of a sudden disappearance.

After an arduous offseason regimen that included twice-daily workouts, regular fasting, and a diet focused on removing gluten and limiting sugar intake, Doncic has recently emerged in photos appearing significantly leaner and more muscular than he has in the past.

According to those who have been working closely with him throughout the summer, Doncic’s reduced weight and leaner physique have enabled him to improve his conditioning, lateral mobility, and even his vertical jump.

The goal of this offseason transformation, naturally, is for Doncic’s level of play to ascend to greater heights, putting his team in a better position to capture an NBA Championship.

As followers of Jesus, all of us can easily relate to the concept of carrying too much “weight” in our lives. The author of Hebrews even uses that same phrasing to discuss things that hinder us in our goal of maximally glorifying God during our time on earth:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1; ESV).

When reading that verse, it is easy to focus on the command to put off sin in our lives. And while that is undoubtedly a good and right takeaway, we must recognize that the verse refers to two distinct categories: “sin” and “weight.”

In life, there are certain decisions that we can make that don’t necessarily fall into the category of sin, but also don’t help us to glorify God supremely. These sorts of decisions would rightly be classified as the “weight” that Scripture tells us to lay aside.

To clarify, laying aside this “weight” does not mean that we must completely eliminate things such as leisure, hobbies, entertainment, or specific activities, since the pursuit of them can bring glory to God.

What it does mean, however, is that we must be intentional never to try to justify every decision we make by appealing to the liberty and freedom we have in Christ.

To perhaps put it more plainly, sometimes we have to be willing to say “no” to something potentially good to say “yes” to something even greater.

1 Corinthians 6:12a (NIV) provides us with this reminder: “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial.”

Luka Doncic was arguably the best basketball player in the world even when he had a subpar physique by professional standards. That does not mean, however, that carrying his extra weight didn’t hinder him from being even greater.

In the same way, some of us might feel like we are in a pretty good place in our walk with God right now, but that doesn’t mean that there is no extra “weight” for us to shed. Is some aspect of our lifestyle or an attitude, mindset, perspective, fear, or worry holding us back and weighing us down?

If we desire to be valuable instruments in the Lord’s hands, it will require us to be honest in our evaluation of our lives so that we can determine what “weight” we need to lay aside so that we can better serve and glorify our great God.

Today, let’s take some time to do that honest assessment. Let’s ask God to show us the “weight” in our lives so that we can, with the strength He provides, “shed it” for His glory.

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to more clearly see the areas of my life where I am either living in sin or making decisions that don’t bring You the glory You deserve. Grant me strength and grace to walk in obedience to You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.