Travelling Light

I recently took 2 friends to the bus for a short trip away.  Each of them had such a small bag I was amazed.  For years I have travelled with overstuffed suitcases which were always just on the allowed baggage weight....if not slightly over.  For years I have promised my longsuffering husband, "Next time I will travel light."  He never believed me.  He was right.....until this recent trip when my bag weighed only 16 kg....a whopping 7 kg under the allowed weight.  Oh, wait a minute..... Colin may have had a couple of my things in his bag!!

Travelling light through this life is not easy, but it can be.  We all have baggage that we collect along the way.  We collect things; physical, emotional and spiritual according to our life experiences.  Some people hoard things, gathering a lots of 'stuff' around them that they will never use but something within has triggered them to an unnatural compulsion which can ultimately ruin their lives.  Others carry unresolved trauma from past experiences, and many people worry about things that may never happen.  All of these things weigh us down and rob us of the peace that God means for us to have.

To all of us Jesus issues an open invitation..... "Come to me all of you who carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28  All of you means you!  What baggage are you carrying right now that you could bring to Jesus?  Do you need more encouragement?  1 Peter 5:7 says "Give ALL your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (NLT)  I know it's not easy to do, and sometimes we have to hand things over more than once, but that's okay.  God knows our weaknesses and he longs to help us do life.  Give it a try!

I leave you with my very favourite paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-30 is from The Message......

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Prayer:  Jesus thank you for your invitation to bring my burdens and cares to you.  Would you help me to hand them over and learn from you how to live freely and lightly.  Amen