I have this really big trailer – but no truck to pull it. It is full of things – some I put there and some I allowed others to place in it. Some things are mine, others were never mine, but I put them in the trailer anyway. Some things I wanted to take out, but I never got around to it. Sometimes I waited in vain for someone else to remove those things, but they never did.
It is my baggage, nonetheless, regardless of who put it in my trailer – it is my baggage. I imagine myself leaning forward, my legs pushing hard against the ground, as I struggle to move forward. The trailer is heavy and burdensome. It takes both hands to pull and every ounce of the strength in my legs to push. It takes all my energy – all my strength to drag it with me. It steals those things and more from me.
Sometimes, I decide instead of pulling it on the path I have constructed, I will pull it no further. Since where I am there Christ is. I leave it with Him. And I take up His cause, for His burden is easy and light. But inevitably something draws me back to it, and I end up getting the trailer and reloading it with some of the same stuff and I toss in new stuff.
Read Hebrews 12:1-2
- What things have you picked up during your lifetime?
- How do those things encumber (weigh, hinder, stop) you?
- Do they keep you from living your life for Christ?
- What are some ways you can begin to let go of those things?
Partner with someone in order to help each other let go of the baggage that weighs you down and keeps you from having endurance to run the race – pursue God.
Lord, help me recognize those things in my life that You never intended for me to tote around and help me to dump them completely. Lord, help me to not pick up those things that are better left to the side of the road I travel. Help me to keep my eyes on You and not look at what’s around me here on earth. In areas that I am weak, please give me Your strength to overcome. Help me not to pick up other people’s offenses and issues, but to come along side and help them let go of things You don’t want them carrying. Lord, help me to let go of those things that steal my time and energy. I pray for the strength and perseverance to leave those things behind and move forward holding onto You. I thank You for Your mercy and strength. In Jesus name, amen.