My husband, Mike and I like to think that we have perfected the art of traveling light. In the 40+ years that we have been in full time ministry, we have often boarded a plane with just a carry-on suitcase for each of us (no checked luggage). Besides the fact that we saved money by not checking a bag, we didn’t have to worry about lost luggage, either! Our small suitcases on wheels were effortlessly pulled through large airports, which made our journey that much more enjoyable! Over the years, we have found, through trial and error, that there are always items we have packed that do not get used on our trip. So, little by little, we have learned what is essential and what is simply “excess baggage”.
I have found that worry comes with trying to pull excess baggage though the airports of life. God didn’t create me to spend my days worrying about what I would wear, (or what I would eat) in the days ahead, or how I would get through each day, but to focus only on seeking the kingdom of God in my thoughts and actions. There is definitely a freedom that comes with living each day in such a way that I trust God to supply whatever I need for that day, just when I need it.
So, how do I deal with the days when my “excess baggage” is building up? I confess to God that I have not been trusting Him and then I prayerfully start pulling items out of my suitcase that should not be there, one by one relinquishing them to God. The biggest nonessentials for me are worrying about the choices my kids are making, stressing about a speaking engagement that is coming up, or feeling overwhelmed by people’s expectations.
Of course, I’ll admit that we inevitably forget something that we might have liked or needed to have in our suitcases, and we either have to borrow or purchase that item or just do without it for that trip. As a result, I am always so happy to get back to all of the comforts of home, after being away, living out of a small suitcase. I think that heaven will be that place where I will someday say “Ahh, I am home with everything that I need provided”, when my traveling on earth is done, and I have taken my last plane trip.
Father God, help me sort through what I may be carrying around in my suitcase unnecessarily, so that I can travel through life with a lighter load. Help me to give these heavy, unneeded items to you. Amen.
For Today: Are you weighed down with too much “excess luggage” today? What do you need to pull out of your suitcase and give to God?