"Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
[who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside
every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily
(deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with
patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course
of the race that is set before us,
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..." Hebrews 12:1-2 The
Amplified Bible
(The 'therefore then' refers to Chapter 11, that gives expression to the
faith of so many people in the Old Testament. They are our cloud of
witnesses.)

'...let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares
us..." This is individual. What is it that each is focused on that is a
distraction; that which keeps us from running at a steady pace the course
that has been laid down for each?

Scripture speaks of spiritual hindrances as in the following--
Riches:
Read Jesus' answer to the rich young ruler when asked what to do to inherit
eternal life, Mark 10:17-27. Read the whole scenario. Vs. 21 tells us, "Then
Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go
your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follows Me.'"
And how did the young ruler respond?
"But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he has great
possessions." Vs. 22

Unbelief:
Read Matthew 13:54-58 where Jesus is rejected in Nazareth. Vs.57-58
tells us,
"So they were offended at Him, but Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not
without honor except in his own country and in his own house.' And He did
not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Read and contrast Mark 9:14-27where a father brought his demon possessed
son to Jesus that he may be delivered. Vs. 23-24 tell us,
"Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who
believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with
tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Love of the world:
We can be so easily side tracked in this day with so many readily available
distractions.
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with
carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life." Luke 21:34

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." Titus 2:11-12
"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world
is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world
makes himself and enemy of God." James 4:4

Sin:
There is 'that sin that so easily entangles us'!
What is that sin that entangles you? We need to be specific here. Name it.
Confess it. Be done with it. Thank God for His grace and mercy!
Scripture tells us in 1 John1:8-9,
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Let us daily dress ourselves in the armor of God as Ephesians 6 tells us in
verses 11-18,
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Vs. 13-18

Let us strive to live in such a way that we too can say as the Apostle Paul
said in 2 Timothy 4:7,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith."

Lord we honor and adore You and desire to be all that You have called us
to be. Holy Spirit You know the path we are to take, help us to keep our
eyes on the things above. Thank you Father for Your love that is beyond our
comprehension. Amen