Introduction to Mark's Gospel.  Jesus was an inveterate traveller.  In Mark 6, Jesus trains his followers to travel light and trust God.  It helped that Jesus had a clear idea of his purpose, to spread the gospel message, and to train his disciples.  In Mark 8, Jesus asks "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter responds, "You are the Christ."  From that point on, Jesus tells them about his death on the Cross.

Paul, too, trains Timothy, and speaks of running the race - this always reminds me of Phyllis Day, or even Billy Graham.  Some of the things we carry weigh us down, or hinder us like brambles.  Money, how we use our time, who we are talking to, what we watch on TV; bricks of behaviour, pride, unforgiveness.  CS Lewis: there's no point having a perfect Armada of ships, if you end up in Calcutta instead of New York!

Words of the song 'Guardian' are very appropriate.  How can you get rid of things that hold you back, to be fit to bring blessings to God, and the people around you?