“Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” Luke 10:4
When my son flies home from Nashville to Pennsylvania, he typically jams all his belongings into a carry-on. He wants to avoid the time and hassle of baggage claim. His few short years of flying has taught him the importance of “traveling light.”
Jesus, in sending out the seventy-two disciples, warned them to “travel light.” No wallet. No bags. No sandals. Evidently they would not be able to accomplish the mission if they were carrying excess baggage. But I think Jesus may have been including some other kind of “baggage” when he further instructed them on how to deal with the people’s response to their message....
When they encountered towns that did not welcome them, they were to dust their feet and move on. He knew rejection of the gospel was inevitable and he didn’t want them to be weighed down with the baggage of defeatism or resentment. On the other hand, Jesus warned his disciples to drop any notions of self-advancement when “even the demons submitted.” No space for conceit or self-reliance. Only humble rejoicing that their names were written in heaven.
All of us encounter success and failure on the Christian journey. How we deal with the ups and downs may be determined by whether we are carrying unnecessary weight.
So how does your suitcase look these days? Do you have some excess baggage you want to get rid of? Need to leave some attitudes at the security gate? It actually feels pretty good to “travel light.”
Thank you Lord for your call to each of us. May we get rid of any baggage that hinders us in this journey of life. Amen.
Take Action
Take a survey of your luggage. Ask God to help you get rid of anything that is slowing you down.