Got Baggage?

When you go on a trip you pack up your luggage with everything that you will need while you are away. A lot of the times you end up packing more than you will ever need but if you are like me, I want to be prepared for anything! The term luggage came from the verb lug-that which needs to be lugged about. Baggage is normally just another word used for luggage-synonymously used in traveling. But if you look up the word baggage it also contains another definition-"something that encumbers your development or progress."

I have two train of thoughts when this picture came to my mind. One-we can become too comfortable with living here on earth and gathering as much "stuff" as we can. It will cause our focus to remain on ourselves and we will forget the purpose for which we are here-to share the gospel with those around us. 

Temporal things will pass-only what's done for eternity will last.

2 Corinthians 4:18

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Don't get me wrong-it isn't wrong to have money and nice things-but they can become "baggage" and can hold us back from serving the Lord effectively if our priorities aren't correct.

Matthew 19:24

 "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

1 Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

There are those that God has blessed with money and other wonderful earthly items and they are used for His ministry and glory-Praise the Lord! We all should strive to use whatever we have been given for God's service. Are we willing to give up what we have to the One who gave it to us in the first place?

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” 

― Jim Elliot

Luke 21:2-3

"And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:"

The other thought that I had was the way that the word is used in the comment-"Oh, that person has so much baggage". It is used a lot when talking about relationships. You know what? We all have baggage...we are all born sinners and we all make mistakes. Sometimes there are consequences that are far reaching and have lasting effects but thankfully, if you come to the cross and ask for forgiveness and turn from your sins, they are all covered under the blood. You can leave that baggage at the cross and Christ will help you as you learn to live to your fullest because of His grace, one day at a time.