What does it mean to lay aside the weights of the world?

In Hebrews 12:1, believers are admonished to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us. Weights can refer to anything that distracts or burdens our pursuit of holiness and faithfulness to God, such as materialism, legalism, and pride. This implies a necessary introspection and a reordering of priorities in our lives so that we may run the race of faith unencumbered. The weights of the world can include the cares of life that steer our focus away from heavenly affections. By shedding these weights, Christians are able to genuinely pursue a relationship with Christ without distractions from the world.