How to Pack Light for Traveling
When I travel out of town, I always overpack. An extra dress shirt in case a button falls off another shirt, extra socks and t-shirts in the event I have to stay another day, some workout clothes and running shoes that never leave the suitcase, medications for every potential illness or infection. You get the picture. Ironically, even though I know I am overpacking, I continue to do it. I cannot stop. Am I the only one with this problem?
As Christians, we are travelers in a foreign land (1 Pet. 2:11). Our home is in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1). What happens here in this life is just temporary and fleeting compared to the eternity we will spend with our Maker.
My issue with overpacking bleeds over to my life as a Christian, traveling through this life eagerly awaiting to be with my Heavenly Father and all the saints. Although I know better, I continue to overpack my worldly luggage. I fill my suitcase with anxiety until the seams tear; I stuff my duffel bag with discontent and despair until it’s too heavy to lift; and I cram my backpack with self-doubt and resentment until the zippers wont zip. Trying to lug all this around becomes exhausting. I am worn out. Ironically, even though I know I am overpacking, I continue to do it. I cannot stop. Am I the only one with this problem?
What baggage do you drag around? Grief, depression, addiction, disappointment? You know we don’t have to keep dragging around all this heavy luggage? Jesus promises us, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Peter says, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
But how do we that? Surrender. Surrender completely. We must deny ourselves, lose our lives, and take up the cross (Mk. 8:34–38).
To whom do we surrender? Our Lord. And who is our Lord? The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23). When we surrender to our Lord, “we shall not want.” That is, when we surrender to the leadership of our Shepherd, we don’t need all the baggage that we unnecessarily carry around because God as our shepherd leads us, restores our soul, guides us, anoints us, and follows us. He makes us lie down in green pastures. So get rid of all that extra luggage—for your own sake, for the sake of those you love, and for the God you serve and who loves you so much that he gave his only Son so that you may not know death but spend eternity with him.
Carter