Have you seen those people at the airport whose bags are too heavy and they either have to pay extra or leave some things behind? I’ve seen people literally open up their suitcases at the ticket counter and sort through and repack their stuff in front of everyone!

 

I’m getting ready to go on vacation and I don’t want to be one of “those” people.  So I’m carefully considering what to pack and what not to pack.  Obviously, my destination determines what I’m going to pack.   I’m going to the beach in the middle of summer so I’ll say “yes” to the swimsuit and “no” to the winter coat. 

 

The journey of life is similar. 

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves where am I going and what do I need to bring with me?  Because sometimes what we want to bring is only going to weigh us down and cost us more in the long run. 

 

The writer of Hebrews gives this direction to believers, “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

 

You see, God wants to use us. But often, we carry around so much extra baggage that it hinders us from being as useful to Him as we could be. Imagine all the incredible things you could do for God if you let go of some things. How much more could He use you if you let go of that addiction? That unforgiveness? That shame?

 

It’s time to unpack some things.

Stop carrying them around and letting them weigh us down. But how do we do this?

 

The writer goes on to tell us in verse 2: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…”

 

And Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29-30, “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.”

 

If you’re serious about your relationship with God, and want to be used by Him in an even greater way, I encourage you to get on your knees, open your heart and humbly ask Him, “God, what ‘weight’ do you want to strip from me?” He will show you where the extra ‘weight’ is and if you let Him, He’ll come alongside you and help you to unpack all those heavy things and repack with a much lighter load of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

Pray with me:

Lord I want to be used by You in a greater way. Reveal to me the things that need to be unpacked in my life and help me to repack those spaces with the fruits of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Teresa Breeding
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