The Luggage of Life

Excerpt from Experiencing the Heart of Jesus
By Max Lucado

In her book, After the Boxes Are Unpacked, Susan Miller addresses the emotional, psychological, and spiritual baggage that often accompanies us through the ups and downs of life – especially when uprooted by a move. This month, we offer Max Lucado’s perspective on the Luggage of Life.

To get an idea of the freedom found in Jesus Christ, imagine yourself donning the literal pieces of luggage (all overpacked)…. You’re carrying a suitcase of guilt in one hand and a sack of discontent in the other. There’s a duffel bag of weariness slung over one shoulder and bag of grief on the other.

A backpack of doubt is strapped on your back.

Let that mental picture linger for a moment. The exhaustion. The stretched muscles. The strain on your cramped fingers and your aching back. Now, imagine dropping each piece.

Feel the release. Take in a deep breath. Finally, you are free!

If we let Him, God will lighten our loads.

…There are certain weights in life you simply cannot carry. Your Lord is asking you to set them down and trust Him. He is the father at the baggage claim. When a dad sees his five-year-old son trying to drag the family trunk off the carousel, what does he say? The father will say to his son what God is saying to you. “Set it down, child. I’ll carry that one.”

What do you say we take God up on His offer? We just might find ourselves traveling a little lighter.

The Heart of the Matter

Jesus invites you to drop the baggage you try to carry through life.

Give Him the burdens you were never intended to bear.

You cannot reach out to others if your hands are already full. Take Jesus up on His offer and learn how to travel light.