Recently, I took a friend to the airport. We were stunned to learn that the cost of storing baggage on the airplane is now $38. Wow! She determined that next time she flew, she’d pack lighter.
On my way out of the airport, I thought about the ‘baggage’ that we sometimes carry around in our heart. Perhaps, if we were charged a monetary amount for each piece, we’d be more likely to lighten our load?
The list of ‘baggage’ can be quite lengthy; broken relationships, betrayal of trust, cruel acts. This “life luggage” can pile more baggage on; guilt, anger, bitterness. All of which can add the weight of self-absorption, irresponsibility and lack of self-control. Mercy, what a LOAD!
Some Christians lug these heavy things around with them as a badge of honor, “look at all this weight I’m carrying, but I won’t crumble or stumble, I can handle it!” Others are so crushed by the weight that they spiral into depression and abusive lifestyles. Still others deny they carry baggage, “Nothing is wrong, I’m fine.” But their load is so heavy it crushes their joy.
There is good news for baggage bearers; we don’t have to carry all that weight anymore! Psalms 15:22 says, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” I Peter 5:7 confirms the Old Testament instruction, saying, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
To be able to take all of life’s luggage that has weighted me for so long and just, put it down, no longer being responsible for it, how can that be possible? Like the Psalmist, I want to proclaim, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” Psalms 68:19!
So, HOW do we put all this luggage down (?); by taking it to Jesus. Sometimes, l have to take each piece individually. Bring ‘it’ to the foot of the cross and ‘open’ it. I can give it to Jesus; no explanation needed. He already knows everything about it.
Or, if l need to, I can tell Jesus about the load, how it was created, how long I’ve carried it, how heavy it is. His loving arms hold me as l tell him the painful circumstances. He has perfect understanding of the weight and pain because He carried “my” luggage to Calvary.
After I give it to the Lord, l ask Him to carry it for me. The baggage can’t be erased, it is real, it happened. But, I don’t have to carry it anymore. He will keep it for me. His Word promises and HIS Word is solid, unbreakable. But, I must understand, He will not yank that heavy load from me; I must put it down myself.
After l have put the baggage down, I have to walk away. From that moment on, it is no longer my responsibility, it is His. The devil will try to bring “it” back to me, get me to open “it” and look inside again—but I will not!
When tempted to pick up my baggage again, I will take my heart back to the moment I gave that load to Jesus and stay my thoughts there. God will keep my baggage, if I LET Him.
Now, l can take a breath of fresh air and walk on, burden free. Oh, there will be other baggage that life brings me; but l will quickly take those things to Jesus and put them down too. I don’t have to carry any baggage ever again, unless l choose to.
Matt. 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Prayer: Father, my load is so heavy, I have carried it for a long time. You know the baggage l càrry; baggage others have put on me and the baggage that l have packed on myself. I’m tired of carrying it, all of it. I give it to you. When the devil tries to remind me of it all, l will remind him that it is yours now. Thank you for taking my burdens and keeping them. Amen.