Unencumbered

Unencumbered: Loaded to excess or impeded by a heavy load

My summer runs are always my fastest - primarily because I'm not wearing much, save for a pair of light shorts. When I lived in Chicago, my winter runs were laboriously slow - not because I trained fewer hours or with less effort, but because I was so loaded up with layers of clothing to keep the cold, wind, snow, ice, sleet, etc. at bay. At times it was comical, I'm sure to passing motorists I looked like the Michelin Man. All of those extra clothes and that added weight simply bogs you down. And slows you down. You can't open it up and lengthen your stride because the layers constrict and restrict movement. It doesn't mean you can't get out and run, it's just that the quality of the run and your level of enjoyment can be hugely compromised. When summer rolls around and I can shed all of those extra layers, my movement becomes more natural, less encumbered, and running is pure joy again. I'm generally a bit lighter (weight-wise) come summer, usually ten pounds down as I'm just more active as I enjoy time outdoors. Less weight to carry = faster, smoother runs.

Winter layering, running encumbered, is a necessity - it protects us from the elements. One could choose to run only in shorts, but you'd do so at your own peril. As we go through this life, what we layer on and encumber ourselves with is a choice. Resentment, anger, intolerance, hatred, jealousy, disappointment, failure, rejection.....layer upon layer upon layer. All serving to burden our journey, impeding our progress, encumbering our walk and robbing us of any future joy that the Lord may have in store for our lives. The weight of those feelings can be crushing - we mistakenly think that harboring evil thoughts and ill will towards those who offend us serve to hurt the offender, but all too often those are the folks sleeping through the night while we toss and turn. Here's some simple advice - let it go. Peel away the layers, one by one, and start moving forward completely unencumbered. The journey is a lot more enjoyable, and life's effort is so much easier when you drop the extra baggage.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. " Ephesians 4:31-32