No Excess Baggage

As a family, whenever we have planned to travel to Israel, it’s so exciting that sometimes the children can hardly sleep as the travel days come closer. But then there is one thing that is not so exciting – the packing of baggage.

I have found out, more than often, we have overpacked. There are things that we did not even use during our trip. They were only taking precious space and were actually a burden. Maybe you have done the same thing and can identify with what I am saying.

Now there are many people who are carrying what I call ‘spiritual baggage’. Maybe you trusted someone, and that person betrayed your trust. Now you have this wall around your heart, and you just won’t let people in. You find it hard to open up to people. Simply put, you just find it hard to get into a meaningful relationship because of the relationship baggage you are carrying.

Maybe you grew up under some wrong teaching, and now you have this legalistic mindset where you have become extremely judgemental and critical of the people around you. This is what I would call religious baggage.

The Christian walk can be weighed down by this spiritual baggage which makes fulfilling purpose almost impossible. Hebrews 12:1 gives us a solution.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

The Lord doesn’t want us to live our life burdened with baggage — bogged down with the guilt, anger, and insecurities that are holding so many people captive today. Instead, He wants us to have freedom and fullness of life, marked by faith, forgiveness, love, joy and peace. (John 10:10)

The solution lies in stripping away the excess weights. It will help if you let go of things that happened in the past. Release forgiveness and rely on His grace. Surrender it all to Him, and then seek His wisdom to strengthen and direct you.

“Cast your care upon Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). Do this, and it could be the beginning of something big in your life.