Is there a place we can leave luggage we no longer want to take with us through life? Thanks to the cross … there is!

As we travel through life we bring with us a slew of suitcases. Our histories fill all to capacity.

As I think about my own suitcases I realize that some I enjoy some more than others. There is the bag of “Well-made Decisions” that carry those memories of carefully and prayerfully-made choices in life which continue to bless me. I love that valise.

There’s another one that accompanies me filled with “Blessings of God” in my life. That is a constant buoy to my faith and I remember its contents with great joy.

One other suitcase has contents not easily cataloged. It’s kind of messy inside and filled with things I’d rather not travel with. Inside it are memories of depressing times in my life. It has regrets over both sins of omission and commission that are a part of my past.

It had the stored words of wounding that sometimes came from friends. There are memories of friendships that were severed by misunderstandings or broken trusts. That suitcase contains lies told about me … contains dreams that were corrupted by inaction on my part or sabotage by others.

Everything in this piece of baggage brings me pain and heartache. There is nothing in it worth thinking about or worrying about. They do me no good in remembering.

Why do I continue to lug it around year after year.

It holds the parts of the past which cannot be undone – words that cannot be recalled, fears of a  future that I know God does not intend ever occurring. It really is not profitable for me to reflect on the contents of this bag.

I know what God wants me to do with it.

I’m to leave it behind. It has no purpose in my future. I must realize that God has things in store for me that have nothing to do with that piece of emotional luggage. That suitcase and any others like it need to be left behind at the cross.

The Apostle Paul instructed us to think about (and carry with us through life) only that which will really help us: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Philippians 4:8 Living Bible

It’s time for all of us to travel lighter. We’ve been carrying too much baggage!